2023-12-25 06:24:27
2023-12-25 14:24 Compiled by World Journal Lu Silun/Comprehensive 24th
The New York Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has firmly stated in public that the war between Russia and Ukraine will be fought to the end. However, former Russian officials and U.S. officials familiar with the matter revealed that since at least September, the Kremlin has released information on peace talks through secret diplomatic channels. And we do not rule out a ceasefire on the current front.
U.S. officials said that in fact, as early as a year ago, in the fall of 2022, the Ukrainian army defeated the Russian army in northeastern Ukraine. At that time, Putin released a message of intention to cease fire, saying that he was satisfied with the territory captured so far and Prepare for a truce.
Officials familiar with the matter said that Putin’s ceasefire agreement included Ukraine maintaining its sovereignty and continuing to use Kiev as its capital, while Russia retained the 20% of occupied Ukrainian territory.
As for whether Ukraine’s joining NATO will hinder the ceasefire agreement, a former Russian official said that it will be difficult for Ukraine to join NATO in the short term, so this matter is unlikely to be a breaking factor.
However, senior US officials said that Ukraine has always insisted on regaining all its territory and there is no evidence that its leaders will accept the armistice agreement.
However, some U.S. officials also said that this may be a consistent trick of the Kremlin and not that Putin really intended to compromise.
Current and former officials mentioned that the stalemate in the war, the setback of the Ukrainian offensive, wavering Western support for Ukraine, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that broke out in October made Putin believe that now is the time for a ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesman Peskov said, “In principle, these statements are incorrect.” When asked whether Russia was prepared to cease fire on the current front, Peskov cited Putin’s recent remarks, saying that Russia’s goals have not changed. “Putin has indeed “We have said we intend to talk, and Russia has always been prepared to negotiate, as long as we achieve Russia’s goals.”
Senior Ukrainian official implicated in corruption of 40 million in arms purchase
In addition, the New York Times reported that on the 22nd local time, a senior Ukrainian defense official was suspected of enriching himself and embezzling nearly 40 million US dollars in an arms purchase. He has been dismissed and arrested. If proven true, he may face up to 15 years in prison.
Ukrainian prosecutors said in a statement that in December 2022, the official signed a contract with a manufacturer to purchase artillery shells. Later, the newly established procurement department of the Ministry of Defense signed a new contract with the same manufacturer, which not only reduced the cost by 30%, but also eliminated the need to go through Foreign intermediaries have significantly shortened delivery times. But the official still extended the old contract and transferred nearly $40 million to foreign intermediaries.
The authorities did not release the names of the officials involved and said the ammunition had not yet been delivered and efforts were being made to recover the money.
In September this year, the Ukrainian Defense Minister was dismissed from his post due to involvement in corruption. Since then, the Ukrainian authorities have been working hard to rectify their internal affairs.
The New York Times interviewed U.S. and Russian officials familiar with the matter and revealed that Putin has successively released information about the peace talks through secret diplomatic channels. (European News Agency) A senior Ukrainian defense official was suspected of embezzling nearly 40 million US dollars in an arms purchase case. He has been dismissed and arrested. It has been verified that it is true… Ukraine Russia Russia-Ukraine War
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