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"On Point"
MINSK, 12 December (BelTA) – It is Moscow and Washington that will conduct the negotiations on Ukraine. So discussing Kiev’s negotiating positions is pointless, military and political observer Mikhail Onufriyenko said in a new episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
“Everyone already understands that the conflict in Ukraine will end with the signing of some kind of peace deal. At the same time, most of the territories of the former Ukrainian SSR will not be under Russia’s control. But agreements on something will still have to be reached. Meanwhile, the longer the talks are postponed, the less territory the junta [referring to the Ukrainian leadership] will control,” Mikhail Onufriyenko stated.
Moreover, the expert believes that discussing Ukraine’s negotiating positions is pointless: “The very nature of the talks, as we can see, shows that even Europe is now somewhere on the sidelines.”
In his opinion, the real talks will actually take place between Russia and the United States. “Everyone else will just follow Washington’s orders to the letter,” Mikhail Onufriyenko is convinced.
Speaking about the role of U.S. President Donald Trump in this negotiation process, the expert noted that the head of the White House is in no hurry to settle the conflict in Ukraine for now. “He couldn’t care less where the front line will be. The most important thing is to make sure that some part of the territories of the former Ukrainian SSR is not under Russia’s control. For many years to come. Even if they change the Constitution there and introduce some laws on restoring the status of the Russian language, Russophobia will still remain,” Mikhail Onufriyenko believes.
At the same time, he added, Donald Trump needs to make progress in settling this conflict before the start of the U.S. midterm elections: “Some tangible result must be delivered. It may not be the signing of a peace deal, but there must be clear progress.”
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