The war in Ukraine, which has been going on for the third year, remains the main topic of discussion in the world media. The latest statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi about readiness for negotiations under certain conditions caused a wide resonance in the European media. Western commentators are analyzing whether this is a real step towards ending the conflict or a diplomatic maneuver aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position. Some see it as a signal for de-escalation, while others warn of the risks of pitfalls that may arise during negotiations with Russia. Will this statement be a new stage in the war, or just another diplomatic front?
Newsweek Polska – Poland. The Warsaw weekly Newsweek Polska is not at all surprised by Kyiv’s willingness to cede territories in order to achieve peace:
“Ukraine’s territorial integrity has always been a taboo topic, at least at the official level, because Ukrainian diplomats have been admitting for many months on the sidelines of various international conferences that Donbas and Crimea will not be recaptured yet. It is noteworthy that now Zelenskyy has for the first time said what he people spoke only in whispers.”
Politics – Serbia. If it is not clear who won and who lost, the negotiations will be difficult, according to the Belgrade Politika:
“An armistice becomes possible when each of the warring parties realizes that it cannot achieve its goals by military means, or when the continuation of the war would undermine its position to a greater extent than a cease-fire.
… Regardless of what the conditions of the armistice and international guarantees for both sides will look like, the impression of who came out of the situation “with greater benefit for himself” will affect the relations between the countries of Europe. However, in any case, a cease-fire would mean that the “hot war” would turn into a “cold war” between Russia and the rest of Europe, and this war could last for generations, as happened in Europe divided by the “iron curtain”.
La Stampa – Italy. Turin’s La Stampa analyzes the situation:
“Zelenskyi’s readiness to agree to the possible “return of the occupied territories by diplomatic means” marks a significant turn in the game of poker that has been played since the end of the elections in the United States and consists of bluffs and conclusions of different pairs.
The equation put forward by the president of Ukraine would seem simple: Kyiv’s relinquishment of control over Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories in exchange for Ukraine’s accession to NATO. This is a recognition that it will be difficult for Ukrainians to endure another winter under bombs, in the dark and cold, and besides, before the need to send another generation of their citizens to the trenches of Donbass. The share of Ukrainians ready to support the idea of negotiations exceeded the mark for the first time in almost three years of [full-scale] war
in 50 percent”.
Večernji List – Croatia. Zagreb’s Večernji list believes that Kyiv’s signal of readiness to make concessions is primarily addressed to Trump:
“Although in his victory plan he rejected the option of freezing the conflict or agreeing to concessions that would concern the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, now he is ready for such.
… Provided that the remaining 82% of free Ukrainian territory would be under NATO protection in the event of Putin’s new aggression. Undoubtedly, this is a big concession and a significant change in the Ukrainian position. This change was carefully thought out, but it is addressed, rather, to the future president of the United States Trump and his envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, than to Putin himself.”
De Volkskrant – Netherlands. Amsterdam’s De Volkskrant warns European countries:
“If an agreement is reached, Europe must be ready to participate more directly in the defense of Ukraine. Europe must make important political, financial and moral decisions that are the result of thirty years of security failures. The danger is great, the stakes are high.
But if, as a result of this war, Ukraine does not remain a sovereign, free and safe country that can be rebuilt, then millions of other Europeans are in for very dark times.”
