“Second Belarus” with a pro-Russian government: what the Kremlin really demands to end the war
фото: Reuters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated the Kremlin’s demands for Ukraine as a condition for ending the war. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said the messages signal Moscow’s desire to politically subjugate Ukraine.
This is stated in the ISW report.
ISW analysts noted that Sergey Lavrov in his interview repeated the ultimatum demands to Ukraine that Russia is making as a precondition for ending the war. In their opinion, such statements demonstrate Moscow’s intention to impose a model of so-called “neutrality” on Kyiv.
The report notes that the Russian minister described the Kremlin’s vision for a post-war Ukraine. According to him, the option acceptable to Russia is a “friendly” and “benevolent” Ukraine that “is not necessarily an ally” but should remain “neutral.”
Analysts emphasize that such formulations indicate Russia’s desire to establish political control over Ukraine. ISW noted that the demand for “neutrality” actually means subordinating Ukrainian politics to the interests of the Kremlin.
The report also states that Moscow seeks to form a pro-Russian government in Ukraine that will pursue policies beneficial to Russia. The insistence on creating a “friendly” Ukraine, according to analysts, indicates the Kremlin’s unwillingness to agree to other options for resolving the war.
“Russia likely seeks to turn Ukraine into another Belarus, which ISW estimates Russia has de facto annexed, even as Belarus retains its borders and government,” ISW analysts noted.
ISW emphasizes that the Kremlin may try to achieve this without full military control over the territory of Ukraine, using political influence and the formation of a loyal government.
By the way, a new round of peace talks between delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Russia will take place in the near future .
As a reminder, the second day of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, which took place in Abu Dhabi, ended on February 5. Earlier, it became known that during the trilateral meeting, the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners.
As reported, negotiations between delegations in the United Arab Emirates have the potential to be more successful than previously predicted.
Such statements demonstrate Moscow’s intention to impose a model of so-called “neutrality” on Kyiv.