While Russia has larger concerns regarding security arrangements that addresses the push of NATO toward its borders, it is widely reported, and possibly true, that, regarding the battlefront situation in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin was willing, in Anchorage, to halt Russia’s military advances across the board, if Kiev withdrew its forces from the diminishing portion of the Donetsk Region that it still holds. (After the vote in both Lugansk and Donetsk in September 2022 to join Russia, Moscow views it as obligatory to clear foreign troops out.)
Now, on both sides, there are indications that Ukraine’s acting president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has dug in his heels against Washington—both backed by his “Coalition of the Willing” partners and possibly motivated, in large part, by his inability to stay in office should he agree to the territorial realities.
Now, Financial Times, citing eight “people familiar with the talks,” reports that U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine will depend on whether Kiev agrees to withdraw its troops from the non-occupied part of Donbass. FT adds that Ukraine was told that Washington would give Kiev additional weaponry if they sign onto the deal.
