Demilitarized zone in Ukraine: a chance or illusion? – The world

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered direct negotiations without prerequisites with Ukraine who start on Thursday in Istanbul.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Green Sunday night on Platform X confirmed its arrival: « I will wait for Putin in Istanbul on Thursday. »

Previously, it was announced that the United States proposes the creation of a demilitarized zone in Ukraine to control both Ukraine and Russia.

It is a zone located 15 kilometers from the current front on both sides between Ukrainian armed forces and Russian troops.

This idea was expressed by the Special Envoy of the American President for Ukraine, former General Kit Kelog in an interview for Fox News.

« This means that a clearly controlled zone of 30 kilometers will be created. Possible violations will be registered, » said the American special envoy, adding that control of the safety belt could take over « Coalition of willingness ». Ukraine seems ready for a temporary demilitarized zone.

The American general said that Ukraine could re-take control of lost territory, as was the case with Germany, which after World War II, or like Baltic states, who became part of the USSR, which West did not admit.

« The territory you now control behind you belong to you, and what will happen in five or ten, is the second question. And that is exactly what Ukrainians are willing to do, » Kelog said.

Would Ukrainians frozen the war?

At the time the announcement of this article, official Kiev has not yet announced on this issue. Taras Shamajda, the leader of the freedom’s movement, requested the official clarification of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about whether Ukraine is really ready to withdraw their troops for 15 kilometers and which areas should be demilitarized.

Whose laws should be applied in the area? What kind of authorities should there be? What would the mission of foreign troops look like in this zone?

Would there be troops from neutral states or from countries on page of Russia there? « What would those troops do if Russians would suddenly want to take over the whole or part of this 30-kilometer seat belt? »

This issues set this activist on your Facebook page. There are no answers to these questions yet.

Will they put pressure on Russia now?

Petro Burkovski, the executive director of the Ukrainian Foundation for the democratic initiatives Ilka Kučeriva, believes that the proposal of the United States is reasonable. Ukraine would, he could agree with it. As a positive historical example of a demilitarized zone, he states the experience of the 1979 camp David agreement. Between Egypt and Israel.

At that time, the United States acted as an intermediary, a demilitarized zone was established under the control of American observers, and the troops were separated after the ceasefire.

Burkovsky believes that the retreat of troops and temporary ceasefire could be the first tangible step towards the end of the war. The thirty-day ceasefire and the establishment of a demilitarized 30 kilometer zone would be possible, he considered, but also adds that the most important prerequisite consent of Russia, which has so far not showed such willingness.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that « he had not heard any statements from Kiev yet in connection with the demilitarized zone. »

Oleksandar Čara, executive director of the Kiev Center for Defense Strategies, assesses that the American proposal for a demilitarized 30-kilometer zone remains only « idea on paper ».

« Russia has resources and aims. They will not stop and can combine diplomatic strategies. Meanwhile, the European Coalition that supports us will be crazy, and they continue to kill us, » Chara said.

Hull pull – Ukraine with that already has a bad experience

Vladislav Seleznjov, a military journalist and former chief of Pres-Service of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army believes that the proposed format for the end of the war is inefficient. Ukraine, he says, has already « experienced » with pulling troops from the front line in Donbas since 2014. until 2022. years.

During that period, there were more than 20 agreements on the breakage of fire, but all proved to be inefficient, the Seleznjov pointed out. « Even the OSCE monitoring mission was unable to provide a permanent and safe line of separation along the front. Hopes that this time will succeed probless this time. »

The head of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, Serhij Music, in a statement for DW is something more optimistic. The idea of ​​separating the troops and creating a demilitarized zone is realistic, says, but it is a key thing effective to control that security belt. It is unlikely that European countries from the « Coalition of Willies » agreed to send their troops in the zone due to the risk of escalation and possible victims among peacekeepers, considered to be detained.

Ukrainian experts agree that the American proposal must be carefully compiled and can only be implemented if economically impossible for Russia to continue the aggressive war. And for that, they are considered, necessary sanctions and pressure on Moscow.