U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg made his pitch today on Fox News for Washington’s continued attempt to negotiate on Ukraine, but on Kiev’s terms: no negotiation before a truce is accomplished. He made no attempt to address Moscow’s concern that such an arrangement has its primary purpose to allow Ukrainian forces a break and to rearm for the next round of fighting. However, possibly of some note, he did state publicly what the Kiev authorities have only said privately:
“The Ukrainians have already said they’re willing to give up the land... not de jure, forever, but de facto because the Russians actually occupy it…. That’s what they’re willing to go to, they told me that last week…. We had 22 concrete terms that [Ukraine] agreed to. What they want ... and what they have is a very comprehensive and permanent ceasefire that leads to a peace treaty. When I mean comprehensive, sea, air, land infrastructure for at least 30 days.... It could build to an important peace initiative.”
