What awaits the Ukrainian lands occupied by Russia: a loud statement by the US Special Representative
27 March 09:46
Special Representative of the US President Keith Kellogg said that Russia is not going to leave the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, but from a legal point of view they are not part of Russia. Kellogg said this in an interview with Fox News, Komersant ukrainskyi reports
Kellogg emphasized that Russia currently controls the entire Luhansk region, as well as part of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. However, according to him, the international community does not recognize these territories as part of the Russian Federation.
“Here we need to distinguish between de facto and de jure. De facto means that they have physically occupied the territory and will not leave it. But de jure, you cannot say that you have completely annexed it. The international community does not recognize this territory as part of Russia. These are the difficult discussions that are yet to be held,” the US Special Representative said.
Finding a compromise: positions of Ukraine and Russia
Keith Kellogg proposed an approach to resolving the conflict that takes into account the interests of both sides – Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized the need for a clear understanding of their positions.
“We need to get what can be called a terms of reference. What do Ukrainians want? What do the Russians want? Then we need to bring these positions together and find a solution that will probably satisfy both sides. But of course, neither side will get everything they want,” Kellogg said.
He acknowledged that neither side will get everything it wants, but a compromise can be the basis for a political solution. This approach, according to the American official, is a real way to reduce tensions.
Negotiations in Riyadh between the delegations of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia
on March 25, the White House released an official statement on the results of three days of talks held in Saudi Arabia with representatives of the United States, Ukraine, and Russia, the country that is called the aggressor.
According to the statement, the parties reached an agreement to guarantee the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and to develop measures for the so-called energy truce. In addition, the United States committed to assist Ukraine in the exchange of prisoners, the release of civilians in detention, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported because of the war.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized that any movement of Russian warships beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea would be considered a violation of the agreements. In this case, Ukraine reserves the right to self-defense.
Russia, for its part, also issued a statement that generally repeats the content of the White House document. However, the Kremlin added that the agreement on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea will come into force only after the United States fulfills certain conditions. Among them is the lifting of sanctions against Russian food exporters and Rosselkhozbank.
In addition, the Russian Federation noted that the ban on strikes on energy infrastructure will be in effect for 30 days, starting on March 18, the date of the US president’s conversation with the Russian leader. This period may be extended. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia was already deceiving mediators, violating confidence in the negotiation process.
