US newspaper: The West begins to persuade Ukraine to negotiate peace with Russia

Russian and Ukrainian delegations hold peace talks in Istanbul, Türkiye on March 29, 2022 (Photo: Reuters).

NBC on November 3 quoted several unnamed US officials as saying that US and European leaders "are quietly talking to Ukraine about potential negotiations with Russia to end the conflict.

“These discussions included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal,” the source said.

Some of the discussions took place last month, NBC reported, reflecting concerns among Western allies and partners that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is at a stalemate, as well as concerns about their ability to continue providing aid to Ukraine.

"Ukraine may only have until the end of the year or a little longer before it is forced to hold urgent peace talks," NBC 's source said.

Ukraine has not yet commented on the above information.

The information was released in the context of Ukraine's counter-offensive campaign entering its sixth month but not achieving the expected results.

In a recent interview with the Economist , Ukrainian Army Chief of Staff Valery Zaluzhny said that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has stalled along a wide frontline and that no major breakthrough is likely.

However, Moscow has rejected Kiev's assessment. "The battlefield has not yet reached a stalemate. Russia is continuing its special military operation. All the set goals must be achieved," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Ukraine began counterattacking in June but has so far failed to achieve any breakthroughs to turn the tide of the battle before the weather turns unfavorable for counterattack operations.

Regarding the prospect of peace negotiations with Russia, Ukraine stated that peace negotiations will only take place after Russia withdraws all troops and restores the 1991 border to Ukraine.

Ukraine replaces special forces commander

Viktor Horenko was the commander of Ukraine's special forces from July 2022 until he was suddenly dismissed on November 3 (Photo: Getty).

Reuters reported that on November 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Mr. Serhiy Lupanchuk as the new commander of the special forces, replacing Mr. Horenko, who has led the force since July 2022.

In his nightly video address on November 3, Mr. Zelensky said Mr. Lupanchuk would take over the role of commander of the special forces, saying that the new commander had extensive combat and command experience. Meanwhile, Mr. Horenko would “continue special tasks” in the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service.

In addition, Mr. Zelensky did not give a specific reason for the personnel change.

For his part, Mr. Horenko appeared completely surprised at being dismissed.

"I don't know why. I only learned about my dismissal from the media. I talked to Chief of the General Staff Valery Zaluzhnyi, but he couldn't explain either. Usually, the Chief of the General Staff would make a proposal about personnel, but he said he didn't make any. I don't understand what's going on," he said.

The Ukrainian special forces are a unit known for their military operations in Russian-controlled territories, particularly in Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ukrainian special forces are believed to be behind an attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean city of Sevastopol in September, as well as a raid on a repair yard that damaged a Russian patrol boat and submarine.

In addition, Ukrainian special forces also undertake operations related to psychological and information warfare and organizing resistance in territories controlled by Moscow.

This week, Mr. Zelensky praised the Ukrainian military's work in undermining Russia's military power in the Black Sea through attacks using drones or suicide boats.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/bao-my-phuong-tay-bat-dau-thuyet-phuc-ukraine-hoa-dam-voi-nga-20231104102608266.htm