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John Sullivan, former US Ambassador to Russia
The former US ambassador to Russia told the BBC. about the experience of trying to negotiate with the Russian government with the reason that Why did Russian President Vladimir Putin not surrender in the Ukraine war?
John Sullivan is the US Ambassador. Moscow of Russia Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine
This former ambassador He was one of those who tried to talk to the Russian authorities. to try to stop the war “But did not receive a response.”
“The Russian authorities demand a security guarantee for Russia. but refused to discuss formally the security of Ukraine. They refuse to talk about anything other than their own… It’s just a pretense, set up.”
Asked if the United States should work harder to continue dialogue with the Russian government To bring an end to the year-long standoff, Sullivan replied that President Vladimir Putin was “not interested in pre-war negotiations, and even now, not in negotiations.”
US President Joe Biden’s administration has therefore focused on calling for international support. to arm Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, with the United States supplying billions of dollars worth of weapons to Ukraine. since last year
In a speech by the Russian leader on Feb. 21, Putin reaffirmed his views. The West started the war. and trying to use Ukraine to subdue Russia “Strategically” it is Russia that is fighting for its own survival, not Ukraine.
Even what the Russian government has declared a special military operation will fail. But Sullivan said Russia’s stated objectives remained the same – “exterminate the Nazis” and “disarm Ukraine”. Ukrainian people”
This is the vision that President Putin has always emphasized. It is a gathering of Russians scattered since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Let’s come back to be united again.
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“But Putin is definitely not going to back down, because he’s been saying all the time. The goal of this special military operation must be accomplished.” Sullivan
Therefore, “Putin allows a democratically elected government to In particular, the government led by President Volodymyr Zelensky cannot stay in Kiev,” Sullivan said.
“Putin will never be satisfied. As long as this government exists because he saw it as a threat to Russia and to the vision of the vast Russian state he was trying to create.”
and from now on How to get Putin to stop the war?
“Must persuade Putin to make him realize that He can’t win the war,” Sullivan said. “We won’t back down. until you believe There was no way he could win. I can’t know How heavy will the losses on the Russian battlefield be? until Putin is aware of this because of the present His attitude is not there yet.”
Mr Sullivan said the Russian leader had long-term goals and a “vision of what he wanted to achieve.” So he won’t give up easily.”
But the Ukrainians weren’t going to give up that easily either. ready to analyze that Putin’s failure in this war was his attempt to isolate Ukraine of 44 million people.
“Ukrainian people will never forgive and forget,” he said. want to end the war Territorial compromise or surrender, but the Ukrainian people will not let him do that.”
with army size political situation And ideological differences between Russia and Ukraine have forced the United States to prepare for a long war.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed America’s commitment to helping Ukraine. after visiting Kiev Without notifying the schedule in advance on the occasion of the 1 year anniversary of the Ukrainian war But Mr Sulliman thinks The conflict will not end this year for sure.
“But after that I can’t know,” he said. The goal of this special military operation must be accomplished.”