Ukraine negotiations: West wants to announce further sanctions on Russia soon - Macron talks to Putin

Created: 2022-03-23 ​​04:51

There is disagreement in the negotiations in the Ukraine conflict.

Will the Pope become a mediator?

Apparently, further sanctions are planned.

News ticker.

• Escalated Ukraine conflict*

  : Putin and Macron have talked about conditions for a ceasefire

  (see update from March 22, 8:40 p.m.).

• The West apparently wants to impose further sanctions on Russia

   (see update from March 22, 7:30 p.m.).

• Selenskyj proposes Pope Francis as mediator

  (see update from March 22, 4:41 p.m.).

• This

  news ticker on the diplomatic negotiations in the context of the Ukraine war

  is updated regularly.

  The background to the Ukraine crisis * here.

Update from March 22, 11:03 p.m.: 

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Russian military operation in Ukraine is “strictly according to plan”.

The course of the mission corresponds to the goals set in advance, said Peskow in English in an interview with the TV channel CNN on Tuesday.

"It's a significant mission with significant objectives," he said.

When asked what President Vladimir Putin had achieved in Ukraine so far, Peskov said the goals had "not yet" been achieved.

Among other goals, he named the decimation of the Ukrainian military and Kiev's understanding that the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, is now an "unmovable part of Russia".

In addition, Ukraine must recognize that the separatist regions in the east are now "independent states".

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: Selenskyj should address NATO members

Update from March 22, 9:46 p.m .:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj received an invitation to address the heads of state and government of NATO members via video on Thursday.

The participants of the special summit could "hear Zelenskyi speak directly about the catastrophic situation in which the Ukrainian people find themselves because of Russia's aggression," a NATO official said, according to AFP on Tuesday.

The alliance is already supplying Ukraine with "a significant amount of important military equipment," it said.

At the summit, member states wanted to examine what they "can do additionally" to increase their support.

Update from March 22, 8:40 p.m .:

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin* about the conditions for a ceasefire with Ukraine.

The Élysée Palace then announced that the approximately one-hour phone call on Tuesday was also about “security requirements for substantial issues”.

More specific information was not given.

The Kremlin said a "detailed exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine, including ongoing negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives" continued.

In past phone calls with foreign heads of state and government, Putin has repeatedly accused the West of ignoring Ukrainian attacks on civilians in eastern Ukraine.

Macron also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday.

The French President is on the side of Ukraine, said the Élysée Palace.

He remains convinced of the need to continue his diplomatic efforts, even if there is no agreement so far.

Ukraine-Russia talks: More sanctions to be announced

Update from March 22, 7.30 p.m .:

According to the US government, the West wants to impose new sanctions on Russia.

As National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in Washington on Tuesday, according to AFP, new sanctions against Russia are to be announced on Thursday - at the NATO and EU summits in Brussels, which US President Joe Biden will also attend.

It's about "another sanctions package," Sullivan said.

According to Sullivan, an important element will be tightening the existing punitive measures in such a way that it will be even more difficult for Moscow to circumvent the sanctions.

US President Joe Biden (left), Russian President Vladimir Putin (montage) © Mandel Ngan/Mikhail Metzel/AFP

Ukraine and Russia negotiate - US has no intention of closing embassy in Moscow

Update from March 22, 6:53 p.m.:

In the midst of the Ukraine war and the heightened tensions with Russia, the United States has emphasized the importance of diplomatic relations.

"I want to say bluntly that the United States has no intention of closing the embassy in Moscow," US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan told the opposition Russian newspaper

"And President (Joe) Biden has no intention of removing me as ambassador."

At the same time, Sullivan said: “Nevertheless, we have seen signs from the Russian leadership that diplomatic relations may be terminated.

(...) That wasn't said explicitly, but there was a threat like that.” The Foreign Ministry in Moscow recently said that Russian-American relations were “on the verge of breaking up”.

A protest note was handed to Sullivan.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Zelenskyj proposes Pope Francis as mediator

Update from March 22, 4:41 p.m

.: The Ukraine negotiations have not brought any tangible results so far - now Selenskyj proposes Pope Francis as a mediator.

The Ukrainian President tweeted today that during a phone call to the Pope he described "the difficult humanitarian situation and the blocking of escape corridors by Russian troops" in his country.

"We would appreciate a mediating role for the Holy See to end human suffering." At the same time, Zelenskyy thanked the Pope for his "prayers for Ukraine and peace."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left), President of Ukraine, and Pope Francis exchange gifts during a private audience at the Vatican (archive image from 2020).

© Gregorio Borgia/AP/dpa

Ukraine talks not "substantial" enough for Kremlin

Update from March 22, 2:37 p.m

.: The Kremlin has so far not seen the desired progress in the negotiations with Ukraine.

"A certain process is taking place, but we would like it to be more vigorous and substantive," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

He did not want to give any information about the content of the talks with Kyiv because this "would only further impede the negotiation process".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday he was ready to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin about a "compromise" on areas in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

However, he argued that such an agreement would have to be confirmed by referendum in Ukraine.

At the talks, Ukraine is demanding a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Russian forces from the country and the designation of countries that would guarantee Ukraine's security and intervene in the event of a Russian attack.

Moscow says it wants to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine, speaking of a neutral status for its pro-Western neighbor.

Ukraine negotiations: Selenskyj adviser sees possibilities for "relatively simple" agreement

Update from March 22, 12:01 p.m

.: Are the Ukraine negotiations now making progress?

As reported by the US magazine

, among others, according to Selenskyj adviser Alexander Rodnyansky, it is "relatively easy" to reach agreement on some issues - such as NATO membership or the use of Russian as a regional language.

However, he ruled out giving up territory.

Ukraine negotiations: Zelenskyj wants to "address everything that annoys and displeases Russia"

Update from March 22, 11:38 a.m.:

At a meeting with Putin

, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was ready to talk about the status of Crimea annexed by Russia and the separatist areas in Donbass.

He said this on Monday evening in an interview with several Ukrainian media.

Zelenskyy agreed to "address everything that annoys and displeases Russia".

"The issue of Crimea and Donbass is a very difficult story for everyone," Zelenskyy said of the peninsula annexed in 2014 and the internationally unrecognized "people's republics" in the east of the country.

Ukraine talks: Zelenskyy ready for talks with Putin over Crimea and Donbass

He called for "security guarantees" and an end to Russian attacks.

After that, he and Putin could talk “about all issues.”

"Would we clear them all?

No.

But there is a chance that we can partially make it - at least to end the war," he added.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Crimea and the "people's republics" of Luhansk and Donetsk belong to Ukraine, and that his country will not capitulate.

Any deal with Moscow that would bring "historic" changes would ultimately have to be voted on by Ukrainians in a referendum, he added.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy © Ukraine Presidency/Ukraine Presi/Imago Images

Ukraine negotiations: Selenskyj insists on talks with Putin

Update from March 22, 9:18

a.m.: During the Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced that he would let his people decide on any possible “compromise” in the negotiations with Russia

.

The head of state said this in an interview with the news website

published on Monday evening .

Zelenskyy also insisted on a personal meeting with his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin.

"I believe that without such a meeting it is impossible to fully understand what they are ready to do to end the war," he said, referring to Russia's negotiating position.

On the main point of contention about possible NATO membership, he said his country had "understood" that it would "not be accepted" by the defense alliance because the member states "are afraid of Russia".

Now his country needs “other security guarantees”.

According to him, there are "NATO countries" that "want to be guarantors of security" for Ukraine.

These are "ready to do whatever the alliance would have to do if we were a member".

In his view, such security guarantees without formal NATO membership would be a “normal compromise”.

Update from March 21, 10:15 p.m .:

With a view to the war in Ukraine, US President Joe Biden has warned US companies of cyber attacks from Moscow.

Intelligence information indicated "that the Russian government is exploring options for possible cyber attacks," the 79-year-old said on Monday.

Biden described cyber attacks as part of Russia's strategy against the West.

The US government will continue to "use every tool to prevent, halt, or, if necessary, respond to cyber attacks on essential infrastructure."

However, since most of the Western infrastructure is owned by private individuals or companies, the companies themselves would have to take action to protect themselves against cyber attacks.

"Owners and operators must step up their efforts to close their digital doors," Biden said.

Ukraine negotiations: Biden calls heads of state before traveling to Europe

Update from March 21, 9:15 p.m .:

US President Joe Biden * discussed the current situation in the Ukraine war with the heads of state of Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain on Monday afternoon.

As the White House announced, the President held a roughly hour-long phone call with Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Mario Draghi and Boris Johnson, during which the allies discussed "their coordinated responses to Russia's unprovoked and unwarranted attack on Ukraine."

Ukraine negotiations: Before traveling to Europe - Biden assures Ukrainians of further support

Above all, the participants in the discussion agreed that "the brave Ukrainians who are defending their country against Russian aggression" will continue to be supported with military aid.

The topic was also the "recent diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine's efforts to reach a ceasefire" and humanitarian aid for the three million refugees.

Due to the current situation, Biden will personally travel to Europe in the coming days to hold talks.

On Thursday, the US President will take part in a NATO summit and an EU summit in Brussels.

Biden will then travel to Poland on Friday.

Negotiations in the Ukraine war: In an interview, Selenskyj made a clear statement to Moscow

First report from March 21st:

Kiev/Moscow – According to its head of state Volodymyr Selenskyj*, Ukraine will not accept “Russian ultimatums” to end the war*.

"Ukraine cannot accept a Russian ultimatum," Zelenskyy said in a

video interview published by news website

Russia's aim is to "destroy" Ukraine.

War negotiations: According to Zelensky, Moscow wants to achieve "handover" of the cities of Mariupol, Kharkiv and Kyiv

Among other things, Moscow wants to achieve the “handover” of the cities of Mariupol, Kharkiv and Kyiv* by Ukraine, said Zelenskyj.

But "neither the people in Kharkiv, nor those in Mariupol or Kyiv, nor I, the President," could do that.

In this video still provided by the Press Office of the President of Ukraine, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks early in the morning of March 21, 2022. © Uncredited/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP/dpa

According to Zelenskyy, the Russian government is trying to dictate its demands to the Ukrainian side.

The Russian delegation is pursuing the approach: "We'll issue an ultimatum, here are the points, you fulfill them all and then we'll end the war," said Zelenskyy.

However, Moscow will not achieve results this way.

Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia: Any "compromise" with Moscow to be presented to Ukrainians in referendum

The people of Ukraine are "united" in the face of the Russian war of aggression*, emphasized Zelenskyj.

This is also visible in cities like Melitopol and Berdyansk, which are already occupied by Russia.

Where Russian soldiers raised their flag, "they take people down," the president said.

Referring to the role of Russian troops in the Ukrakine war, Zelenskyy said: "What do you want?

Destroy us all.” Moscow's ultimatums would only become reality “when we are no more”.

In addition, Zelenskyy announced that he would let his people decide on any possible "compromise" in the negotiations with Russia.

The contents of a possible agreement could mean "historic" changes, said the head of state.

The Ukrainian side will ultimately decide on this in a referendum.