Zelenskyy is working his magic – the new US-Ukrainian 20-point peace plan is vastly more sensible than the prior US 28-point plan and European re-work. There are clear efforts to address the crucial, central impasse for both sides – a Ukrainian security guarantee against Russian aggression, and a Russian security guarantee against NATO encroachment. However, whilst this is clear progress, this is not a fait accompli. Russia will find issue with several points – so this is just round one of what are finally some sensible negotiations.
Last month we began with a bullet point that "we doubt we will see real peace until the West takes the time to understand (and only understand) the Russian perspective, and build in security guarantees for both sides.” Zelenskyy’s offer to abandon Ukrainian efforts to join NATO were perhaps the most progressive move towards peace since the conflict began – because he, and he alone amongst all European and US politicians, has carefully considered Russia’s ...
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