Ukraine gives reasons for refusing to sign peace agreement with Russia

Ukraine nêu lý do từ chối ký thỏa thuận hòa bình với Nga - 1 — Mr. David Arakhamia, a senior Ukrainian parliamentarian and former head of the negotiating delegation with Russia (Photo: EPA).

In an interview with 1+1 TV channel on November 24, Mr. David Arakhamia, a senior Ukrainian parliamentarian and former head of the negotiating delegation with Russia, revealed the content of the draft agreement to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow last March.

"They really hoped until the last minute that they would force us to sign such an agreement so that we would remain neutral. That was the most important thing for them. They were ready to end the conflict if we agreed to remain neutral and promised that we would not join NATO," Mr. Arakhamia said.

Ukraine has rejected Russia's request, Mr. Arakhamia said.

"First, to accept that condition, we would have to amend the constitution because we have included the goal of joining NATO in the constitution. Second, we do not believe that Russia will keep its promises," he explained.

"This (neutrality agreement) can only be done if there are security guarantees. We cannot sign something and then pretend that nothing has happened, and then they (Russia) will attack again, even with better preparation. Therefore, we only make this choice when we are absolutely sure that it will not happen. But in reality, it is impossible," he added.

At the end of March last year, about a month after Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, the two sides held negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey. However, the negotiations broke down at the last minute.

Moscow has repeatedly accused the West of "pulling the strings" to force Ukraine to withdraw from negotiations at the last minute, even though Kiev was ready to sign a peace agreement with Russia.

Mr. Arakhamia denied this allegation. Mr. Arakhamia said that the Ukrainian delegation was not ready to sign any agreement with Russia at that time and that Kiev did not change its mind at the last minute due to pressure from the West.

The delegation had no authority to sign such an agreement, he explained, adding that in theory a peace deal could only be signed at a meeting between the heads of state.

The official added that Western partners knew about the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, even saw the draft agreement, but did not seek to pressure them, but only advised Ukraine.

“They really advised us not to give ephemeral security guarantees (to Russia),” he said.

Although no agreement was reached with Russia, Mr. Arakhamia said that the Ukrainian delegation at that time had achieved 8/10 priority tasks.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has lasted for nearly two years but shows no signs of abating. Negotiations have stalled since March last year. Each side has put forward conditions to end the conflict, but each is considered unacceptable to the other.

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