China News Service, June 30 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) Ukrainian soldiers "put down their weapons and meet Russia's conditions", and Russia's special military operation "can end on the same day."
On June 28, the Russian President's Press Secretary Peskov made such a speech to the Ukrainian government.
All of this "is only short of the idea of the Ukrainian president," Peskov pointed out, and one of the keys to influencing the development of the situation is Ukrainian President Zelensky.
What secrets are hidden in Zelensky's attitude?
【End the conflict before winter? But not negotiating now]
Through a video connection, on the 27th, Zelensky admitted in a speech to the leaders of the countries participating in the G7 summit that under the Russian offensive, the Ukrainian army was in a very poor state and it was difficult to fight back. He called on the G7 " Make every effort" to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict before the winter of 2022 and the deterioration of the fighting environment.
This is the first time that Zelensky has made clear his wish to shorten the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia since he announced in April that the Ukrainian army had achieved "victory" in the war against the Russian army.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, according to Agence France-Presse, Zelensky also "gives a very clear answer" to the G7 leaders, saying that it is too early to use diplomatic means and "it is not the time to negotiate."
He believes that negotiations with Russia will only take place when Ukraine is "in a strong position again".
Wanting to end the conflict, but refusing to negotiate, which sentence is Zelensky's sincerity?
Up to now, Ukraine is still following the Western "anti-Russian banner".
The so-called return to a "strong position" means that the conflict must continue, and the battle must continue on the battlefield.
Only by defeating the Russian army can Kyiv get a useful bargaining chip.
However, Zelensky must also consider the domestic sentiment in Ukraine, because up to now, the speed of "blood transfusion" in the West has obviously not kept up with the speed of "blood loss" in Ukraine.
In other words, Zelensky's statement seems to be contradictory, but his words are actually intended for both domestic and foreign parties to listen to each other.
[The Russian side persuaded to surrender: "It will end today"]
For Zelensky's remarks, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov quickly responded on the 28th.
The author believes that Peskov's response roughly reflects the three-level meaning of the Russian side:
First, the Russian army is winning, the Ukrainian army is retreating, the battlefield situation is becoming more and more clear, and Moscow has the confidence to openly persuade it to surrender.
"Ukraine can stop everything before the end of today," Peskov said, as long as Kyiv orders "nationalist" armed forces and soldiers to lay down their weapons and meets Russia's conditions.
Russian President's Press Secretary Peskov.
Second, why the emphasis on Kyiv's order?
Because Peskov believes that this "is only short of the idea of the President of Ukraine."
Peskov's words are meaningful, and he may be trying to remind Zelensky that you are the head of the country that decides the fate of Ukraine, not some foreign "instructor".
Third, Peskov also stated that there is "no rough deadline" for the end of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
That is to say, Moscow has the final say in the operation launched by the Russian army, not Kyiv, nor the West, and Putin has the initiative.
It is not based on which season is the time node. Even after the winter, the strategic goals have not been achieved, and the peace talks have not come to fruition. The Russian military operations will continue...
[Two kinds of arguments: "win" or "blocked"]
Echoing Peskov's remarks are the multiple recent statements of senior Russian officials.
There are two mainstream positions: the first is the theory of "action will win"; the second is the theory of "negotiations blocked".
For example, Naryshkin, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society and Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, previously stated that no matter eight years ago or now, Russia and the Donbass will definitely win the victory of the special military operation, which is "undoubted".
Polishuk, director of the Second Department of CIS Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also pointed out that the purpose of the Russian military's special military operation is to "liberate" Donbass as soon as possible.
He added that "actions are proceeding as planned" and "all goals will surely be achieved".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The confidence of the Russian military in the advancement of the operation has continued to increase. On the other hand, this is also a realistic choice because the negotiations are blocked.
On the 24th, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Moscow did not see the possibility of Ukraine "being allowed" to return to negotiations.
Lavrov pointed out that Moscow has already provided all the advice to Kyiv, "the ball is on their side".
He himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pointed out many times before that it is the West's "fire" and military aid that hindered the process of Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
[Western preset ending? Or let Wu "cede territory"]
With the successive G7 summits and NATO summits, G7 leaders have pledged to stand with Ukraine "indefinitely", suppress Russia through new sanctions, and provide security for Ukraine after the war.
The "indefinite period" in the G7's mouth seems to be inconsistent with some of their own ideas.
For example, the G7 leaders have emphasized this time that Ukraine should make decisions on future peace agreements "without external influence."
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Germany will "never" negotiate behind Ukraine's back.
Image source: Ukrainian State News Agency
While it remains to be seen when the conflict will stop, the G7 has begun planning for postwar Ukrainians.
Chancellor Scholz of Germany, which holds the rotating presidency of the G7, has put forward a plan, which is similar to the "Marshall Plan" that the United States assisted in the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.
On the other hand, NATO allies have shipped billions of dollars of weapons to Kyiv, including increasingly heavy weapons.
NATO allies began to worry, why the more weapons are given and the longer the range is, the Ukrainian army is struggling more and more?
White House officials are increasingly skeptical that Ukraine can regain control of the lost territory, CNN reported, citing U.S. officials.
Advisors to President Biden are said to be discussing the need for Ukraine to recognize ceded territory to end the conflict.
Whether Ukraine can preserve its territory is believed to depend on whether Washington's aid is sufficient.
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba revealed that some officials from African, Asian and Arab countries had advised Kyiv to "stop resistance".
Data map: On May 20, Ukrainian soldiers who were evacuated from the Azov Steel Plant got on a bus.
On the front lines of the conflict, the Russian army is concentrating its firepower to attack Lisichansk, the "sister city" of Severo Donetsk, from five directions.
Severo Donetsk fell to pro-Russian forces last week.
Lisichansk became the last major point of resistance of the Ukrainian army in Luhansk Oblast.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) analyzed that Moscow may hope that political realism can play a role. The Russian army has learned a lesson from the "tragic failure" of rushing to the Ukrainian capital. It will force Ukraine to accept a ceasefire by occupying Donbas and annex Lu Gansk and Donetsk regions, redefine the border between the two countries.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger recently spoke out on the situation in Ukraine.
In the interview, he pointed out that Russia plays an important historical role in Europe, and "the diplomatic task of the West and Russia is to return to the historical process of Russia as part of the European system."
He believes that "it is time to understand how to end this conflict from a political and military point of view and not continue fighting without a purpose".
(Finish)