Alex Christoforou
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
You have to negotiate with a legitimate government. Otherwise you might as well pull a random Ukrainian off the street and make a deal with them.
Or perhaps pull Boris JOhnson off a street in Astana and negotiate with him.
When did he escape from the asylum?
I don’t see Mr Putin’s statement as in any way unreasonable. He merely said that there must be duly constituted Ukrainian authorities before Russia can negotiate with them. One can’t negotiate with thin air, or with random individuals who claim to have authority.
Many times in the past, Russia has solemnly negoatiated and signed agreements with various governments that were properly authorised and legitimate – only for those governments to rat on the agreements.
To negotiate with people who have no authority and no official standing would be to invite the repudiation of any resulting treaties amid scornful laughter.
I would think that Mr Putin’s conditions tend to be minimalist. Whenever they are rejected, the price generally goes up.
Another widespread foolish misconception in the West is that another Russian President would be softer and easier to bully than Mr Putin. I believe the opposite to be the case; Mr Putin is absolutely the best the West can hope for.
Putin’s statement is clear to me: They can only negotiate with a legitimate body and representative. Zelensky is not he. Upon that legal requirement, he has no pre-conditions for negotiation.
IMagine if Zelensky did go for election, and pull off a win, then turn up for negotation…how pleasant would that be?!
I think he would need some serious help from the American Election Thieves to do that.
Faulty logic, ref ceasfire benefits: Russia is already a bigger coutry than Ukraine. It’s not going to gain that advatage under a ceasefire! Russia isn’t stumbling, so cannot pick it istelf up from a fall. Ukraine is stumbling, could benefit when resuming hostilities from a ceasfire (with I.E. West’s support). If you mean now to seek negotiations in the near future, then do so. If not, then don’t ask for a ceasefire now, except over Christmas for a couple of days. IN any case, Zelesnky et al., often say these days, as if they recognise realities on the battlefield DO… Read more »
The west is never interested in the views of natives. They are merely there to obey. That is the history of the last 500 years of colonialism..
Sunbike is on to something Alexander missed. The only way the West can agree to Ukrainian neutrality is to give up on their dreams of plundered Russian resources. Because at least the Europeans are dependent on grabbing those resources to capitalize their debt, of course they can’t hear the Russians. Too devastating to give up the dream—or is it lust…
Correction: No, one is NOT entitled to disagree with a Russian official statement of witness, unless themsleves reporting a witness statement. Only witnesses have title.
You might suspect the Russians speak a lie, but I AM entitled to disagree, based upon what I have heard so far (as a character witness). I would argue that suspicion is unfounded and mere ‘wishful thinking’ in having taken sides for some dubious reason. Come back pnly when you have a reliable witness.
Not ‘IS pictures’ , but ‘ARE pictures’…. come on man, correct yourself barrister of the Bar! This happens far too often. worse than Lazy – careless, weak; Know at least what you are about to say two words ahead.. Combatants, and the unsure wont take you seriously nor should they. But I KNOW, from long and careful listening you have ability to gain and share valuable insights. DOnt let down us downtrodden in the West when speaking for us. Strengthen your mind. P>S. I do realise you are to speaking off the cuff, and relaying from breif notes based upon… Read more »
‘There are reports that senior SBU officials have been killed’; All such reports which lack a source are merely parroted gossip. And that’s how I always disregard them. Its not even interesting. Of course some MAY have been. May not have been. What does the statement convey? Certainly not information, or a novel idea – or even a lesson in how to think. It must be wishful thinking. Or someone ommitted the original source, and it has since been lost in the fog of parrot speech. Its a waste of parrot breath. More; it detracts from the impact of any… Read more »
40′ in: Putins demand is a challenging demand to Zelesnky (ref ‘impossible’ demand).
I agree with Pres Putin, that he has set down no pre-condtions. The conditions he refers to are not his, but rather they are conditions set down by reason and by any legitimate reading of international law. A sovereign government, that of the the Russian Federation or any other, cannot negotiate with illegitimate persons, persons who have seized power or continued to hold power by illegitimate means. To do so would be to assert that there is no such thing as legitimate power or even international law itself. Were that the case, then negotiations and agreements are meaningless. They have… Read more »