UK blocks Ukraines way out

Negotiations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ukraine have concluded successfully at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, culminating in the formalization of an Agreement on Security Co-operation. This document serves as the initial phase in putting into action the resolutions established during the NATO summit. Notably, the agreement places specific emphasis on outlining prescribed actions in response to any potential new armed attack by Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared, “The security commitments outlined by Great Britain in this agreement will remain in effect until Ukraine becomes a NATO member. Today, we stand together as friends and allies, sending a signal to the world that Ukraine is not standing alone. Glory to Ukraine!”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, implied that the recently concluded deal indicates that “Ukraine is practically being deprived of any opportunity to resolve the conflict through negotiations.” She suggested that Kiev is now becoming a “pawn in the adventurous schemes of the Anglo-Saxons,” alleging that the UK aims to keep Ukraine embroiled in conflict with Russia.

Zakharova also ridiculed Ukraine’s commitment to defend the UK, stating, “No reasonable person would believe that. The Zelensky regime is pleading for every dollar, claiming Ukraine’s existence is at stake. Yet, under these circumstances, Ukraine pledges to assist Britain in the face of a military threat to the kingdom.”

Despite Ukrainian President Zelensky’s refusal to engage in talks with Moscow’s current leadership since the autumn of 2022, Russia, according to Zakharova, has not closed the door to peace negotiations. She highlighted that a law prohibiting talks with Moscow was enacted after four former Ukrainian regions voted to join Russia.

Both Russian and Ukrainian officials acknowledged in the spring of 2022 that they were close to resolving the conflict. See here However, the process was disrupted by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who persuaded Ukraine to continue the fight. One of Russia’s key conditions for peace was Ukraine maintaining neutrality and refraining from joining military alliances.

Responding to accusations of sabotaging a peace deal, Johnson, last week, dismissed them as “total nonsense and Russian propaganda.” Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Tuesday that if Kiev had ignored Johnson, the conflict could have ended, but now Ukrainian statehood is at risk of a serious blow. He noted that Russian forces had gained the upper hand on the battlefield after Kiev’s unsuccessful counteroffensive.