Jack Buckby
Zelenskyy’s Plan for Peace With Russia to End Ukraine War: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Tuesday’s G-20 gathering to propose a new 10-point peace plan designed to bring the conflict in Ukraine to an end.
Zelenskyy laid out the plan in a virtual address at the Bali, Indonesia, summit.
The plan comes just days after Russian forces withdrew from Kherson city and Ukrainian troops advanced into the city, reclaiming the first and only regional capital captured by the Russians. The announcement of the plan is significant for several reasons – not just because Zelensky previously refused to negotiate with Russia for as long as Vladimir Putin remains the president, but also because Ukraine is now arguably negotiating from a position of strength.
“I am convinced now is the time when the Russian destructive war must and can be stopped,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said that peace could be achieved as long as Russia commits to food security, energy security, radiation, and nuclear safety, the release of deportees and prisoners, and the implementation of the UN charter. The deal would also require the withdrawal of all Russian troops and an end to all “hostilities” on Ukrainian soil, a commitment to protecting the environment, measures to prevent another escalation, and confirmation from Russia that the war has ended.
Zelenskyy also demanded “justice,” a suggestion that Russia should be held accountable for the damage caused in Ukraine and required to pay for the reconstruction of the country’s towns, cities, and infrastructure.
The ambitious plan does not, however, cede any territory to Russia – as demanded by the Russian president – and will almost certainly be rejected in its entirety unless the Kremlin announces a sudden change of heart.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly resisted pressure from friendly countries like China and India to end the war. He has shown no willingness to bring the conflict to an end without keeping control of Crimea and claiming some Ukrainian territory in the Donbas.
Zelenskyy Snubs Russia at G-20
After previously suggesting that Ukraine would not take part in the G-20 if Putin was invited or in attendance, the Ukrainian president snubbed Russian representatives entirely at this week’s summit. On Tuesday, during a video address to the conference, Zelenskyy outlined the support his military needs to continue fighting Russian forces and called for an extension to the Ukrainian grain export deal which is due to expire on November 19.
During the speech, Zelenskyy repeatedly addressed the leaders of what he called the “G-19,” a suggestion that Russia is not, or should not be, a participant in the international intergovernmental forum.
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of attempting to weaponize the upcoming cold weather in Ukraine by targeting the country’s energy infrastructure with missile attacks, while also purposely disrupting the energy market.
“If Russia is trying to deprive Ukraine, Europe and all energy consumers in the world of predictability and price stability, the answer to this should be a forced limitation of export prices for Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “That’s fair. If you take something away, the world has the right to take from you.”
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