BRUSSELS
Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin presented the decision to “sharply reduce” military activity around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv as a gesture “to increase mutual trust for future negotiations”.
But the Russian advance in the north had already stalled, with troops around Kyiv taking up defensive positions in the face of Ukrainian counterattacks there and near Sumy, where Russia has been having trouble encircling the main Ukrainian army east of the Dnieper River.
“De-escalation is a euphemism for retreat,” said emeritus professor of war studies Lawrence Freedman at King’s College London. “Russia is adjusting its goals to reality, because war is quite empirical,” he said. “It’s not a ruse to say that they are concentrating on the Donbass, because in reality that’s all they can do.”
But retreat is hardly surrender, and others cautioned that the progress made on Tuesday doesn’t mean that Russia is ready for serious discussions on ending the war. That would require a better outcome for President Vladimir Putin of Russia to sell at home as a victory.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainians outlined a 15-year process of negotiations about the status of Crimea, and said that control of the Donbass region could be discussed in meetings between Mr Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Russia has said it would set a meeting between the two presidents only once a draft peace agreement was ready.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 31, 2022-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 31, 2022-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Aid agencies prepare for Rafah incursion; UN warns of 'slaughter'
WHO announces contingency plan as work goes on to ensure aid operations continue
LifeSG's new feature makes pre-school search easier
Parents can soon apply more quickly for subsidies on app too
He got into poly on 6th try, and graduates among top of cohort
He achieves near-perfect GPA, receives ITE Upgrader award
Food mimics art at launch of UOB Painting of the Year
UOB on May 3 launched the 43rd edition of its Painting of the Year competition, on the occasion also debuting six \"edible art\" menus by Pan Pacific Hotels Group chefs inspired by previous winners' works.
NEW ALPINE HEIGHTS
Kabir, 16, is first S’porean in outfit’s academy as he embarks on FI dream
KOEPKA STAYING DRY TO STAY IN LIV HUNT
No drinking for joint-2nd American during tournament weeks, even if it’s his birthday
Postecoglou takes blame for Spurs' 3rd straight loss
Ange Postecoglou admitted his Tottenham Hotspur flops have \"lost belief\" after a dismal 2-0 English Premier League defeat at Chelsea on May 2 left their hopes of Champions League qualification in tatters.
Sabalenka back from dead to keep quest alive
MADRID - Defending Madrid Open champion Aryna Sabalenka said it was \"incredible tennis\" as she produced a brilliant comeback from a set and a break down to beat Elena Rybakina on May 2 and reach the final.
BANKING ON LIGHT LOAD AND LADY LUCK
Logan’s mare Istataba should be back to her best even if mile is as short as she wants it’
Legislate flexiwork if guidelines fail to spur change
The Straits Times editorial on the tripartite guidelines on flexible work arrangement (FWA) requests noted that these compulsory guidelines signalled the normalising of such arrangements in the labour landscape (The normalisation of flexiwork, April 28).