According to him, in this negotiation process there is a draft joint declaration, in which the emphasis was placed on “neutrality, security and guarantees.”
He also noted that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is working in parallel with the development of the document. At the same time, the diplomat indicated that the final decision is up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Context:
Ukraine and Russia have already held four rounds of negotiations. On March 29, the last face-to-face round (several times the delegations met in video format).
Following the meeting, Ukraine formally offered to sign the contract on international security guarantees. Ukraine believes that this treaty should provide for legally binding security guarantees, as well as obligations to provide military assistance in the event of aggression against Ukraine by a number of countries. Russia must also provide security guarantees to Kyiv, but “on different terms.”
Readiness to provide security guarantees was then declared USA, Italy, Germany, Turkey. Britain’s representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, said London was ready to “play its part” in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab elaborated: not like in NATO.
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said on April 20 that Russia had handed over to Ukraine a draft document with clear language and was awaiting a response. According to him, Ukraine “constantly departs from previously given agreements, departs from its words.” This, in terms of the effectiveness of negotiations, “has very bad consequences,” the Kremlin speaker added.
The Office of the President noted that Russia studied the proposals of Ukraine on the provision of security guarantees and gave counter.
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