Ukraine war- Significant progress made on 15-point peace plan
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
According to a report, Ukraine and Russia have made "significant progress" on a "tentative 15-point peace plan including a ceasefire and Russian withdrawal".The report in the Financial Times of London quoting people involved in the talks said Russia will withdraw "if Kyiv declares neutrality and accepts limits on its armed forces".The deal reportedly involves Ukraine giving up on its plan to join NATO and ensuring that it does not host foreign military bases. However, the report said Ukrainian officials are worried over President Putin's true intention and it might be an attempt by the Russian leader to buy time to regroup his forces.Ukraine had earlier rejected Russian proposals for it to adopt a neutral status like Austria or Sweden. "Ukraine is now in a direct state of war with Russia. As a result, the model can only be 'Ukrainian' and only on legally verified security guarantees," its top negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak had said.Russia had said neutrality proposals along the lines of Sweden or Austria were being discussed in talks with Ukraine while indicating it could be a "compromise".Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsk had said the talks were "slow and difficult" and that Russia wanted peace "as soon as possible."