The rise is accelerating on global stock markets, with the CAC 40 now soaring by more than 4.5% over the 6…
(Boursier.com) — The rise is accelerating on global stock markets, the CAC 40 now soaring by more than 4.5% to 6,600 pts, the Dow Jones by 1.5% and the Nasdaq by nearly 3%! Ukraine and Russia would indeed have made significant progress towards a 15-point interim peace plan including a ceasefire and a Russian withdrawal, if kyiv declared neutrality and accepted the limits of its armed forces. , according to three people involved in the talks cited by the Financial Times. Under such a deal, kyiv would give up its ambitions of NATO integration in exchange for security guarantees from Western powers.
The potential deal was reportedly discussed in full for the first time on Monday by Ukrainian and Russian negotiators. Among the concessions, Ukraine would accept not to host foreign military bases and would renounce NATO, in exchange for the protection of allies such as the United States or the United Kingdom. The nature of Western guarantees for Ukrainian security and their acceptability by Moscow remains to be defined and could constitute an obstacle, as does the status of the Ukrainian territories seized by Russia and its proxies in 2014.
Moscow and Kyiv said on Wednesday they had made progress on terms of a deal, but Ukrainian officials remain skeptical of Vladimir Putin’s full commitment to peace, and worry that the Kremlin may just be out to win time to regroup his forces and resume his offensive with renewed vigor. A senior adviser to Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak, told the FT that any deal would involve a withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory conquered since the invasion which began on February 24.
As part of the hoped-for deal, Ukraine would maintain its armed forces but would be forced to stay out of military alliances such as NATO, and refrain from hosting military bases or installations on its territory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also addressed the US Congress by videoconference today. “We need you now,” said the Ukrainian leader, after a standing ovation from members of Congress. “Right now the fate of our country is being decided,” Zelensky said, praising the bravery of his people. He recalled in particular the episodes of Pearl Harbor or the attacks on the World Trade Center. The President of Ukraine asked US lawmakers “aircraft and air defense systems”, at least “if the no-fly zone is too much to ask”. “I have a need. I need to protect our skies,” he insisted, further believing that US ports should be closed to Russia. He also appeals to American companies, so that they all leave Russia.
Zelensky also addressed U.S. President Joe Biden directly: “I want you to be the leader of the world,” meaning the leader of peace.
The Ukrainian president had previously clarified that negotiations with Russia would resume today. The talks would seem more realistic, according to the Ukrainian leader, who nevertheless judges that more time will be necessary before a possible decision. A neutral Ukraine but displaying its own army, on the model of Austria or Sweden, would be a compromise solution considered, the Kremlin said for its part on Wednesday. “It is a variant which is currently being discussed and which could really be considered as a compromise”, indicated Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency. Zelensky said yesterday that Ukraine was ready to accept security guarantees from Western countries even if it meant giving up NATO membership.
Note that Vladimir Putin has just reaffirmed today that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine. The Russian leader considers that Ukraine could have nuclear weapons in the foreseeable future, and considers the country supported by the Western powers, in the planning of an aggression against Russia. He thus justifies the intervention of his country. The Kremlin has also asked Washington to stop supplying arms to Ukraine, according to the Russian agency Interfax. The Russian president says he is open to dialogue, but at the same time indicates that “all our tasks will be finalized”. He believes the West’s problems “will only increase” as it already faces soaring energy costs.
The Kremlin is ready to discuss a neutral status for Ukraine in the ongoing negotiations but it will achieve the objectives of its military intervention, the Russian president asserted during an intervention before his ministers broadcast on state television . Moscow presents this military offensive in Ukraine as a “special operation” to guarantee its own security, and judges that the West wants to dominate the world and dismember Russia. Putin warns Western countries that inflation and unemployment will rise, as the West seeks to “damage the whole Russian economy”.