In a recent briefing, Gen Keith Kellogg, US envoy to Ukraine, insinuated that the country might be divided into zones of control similarly to the post-World War II partition of Berlin, with British and French forces in the west, and Russian troops in the east. Ukrainian forces would be positioned between these zones amid a demilitarised area, although he stated that the US would abstain from deploying ground troops. No official response from Kyiv has been issued regarding these statements.
Donald Trump has expressed his concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine, urging Vladimir Putin to hasten peace talks. Using his Truth Social platform, he lamented the significant loss of life, asserting that this needless conflict would not have occurred under his administration. The recent meeting between Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin in St Petersburg lasted over four hours, discussing various aspects of a potential Ukrainian settlement, which officials called productive.
At a recent meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group in Brussels, allies pledged a historical €21bn ($24bn) in military support and accused Putin of stalling negotiations for a ceasefire. British Defence Secretary John Healey pointed out the contradiction of Putin’s desire for peace juxtaposed with continued assaults on both military and civilian targets in Ukraine. This gathering, convened by the UK and Germany, attracted over 40 nations, though the US was absent, with Trump’s defence secretary participating virtually.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the urgency for military allies to enhance Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, specifically requesting ten additional Patriot systems. During his video address at the Ramstein meeting, he highlighted Russia’s reluctance to pursue viable peace proposals. Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s readiness to purchase additional air defence systems and boost electronic warfare funding in response to ongoing threats.
In bilateral talks on access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, US and Ukrainian officials faced significant challenges, with a highly antagonistic atmosphere hampering progress. Insiders revealed that the tension stemmed from the Trump administration’s sweeping new proposals, which were far broader than earlier drafts. Discussions were described as “technical in nature” by a Treasury Department spokesperson.
Late Friday, Russia’s defence ministry reported the destruction of 13 Ukrainian drones within half an hour. The Ukrainian air force countered that they had downed 24 drones while others failed to reach their targets, likely due to effective electronic warfare tactics employed by Ukraine. In total, it was noted that Russia launched 39 aerial drones and one ballistic missile.
Interestingly, over a hundred Chinese mercenaries are reported to be fighting for Russia against Ukraine. While there appears to be no direct link to the Chinese government, intelligence suggests that Chinese military officers have been observing the conflict for tactical insights. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces captured two men of Chinese descent in eastern Ukraine, as reports indicated that 155 Chinese nationals are involved in the fighting.
US envoy Gen Keith Kellogg suggested Ukraine could be divided into control zones similar to Berlin post-WWII, amidst ongoing conflict and stalled ceasefire negotiations. Trump urged Putin to expedite peace efforts, with allies pledging €21bn in military support. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for enhanced air defence systems while US talks on mineral resources faced tensions. Notably, over a hundred Chinese mercenaries are reportedly fighting on the Russian side.
The discussion of Ukraine’s potential partition like post-war Berlin highlights the stark realities of the ongoing crisis and the intricacies of international negotiations. With notable support from Ukraine’s allies and Trump’s insistence on expediting peace talks, the situation remains tense. Nevertheless, the presence of foreign fighters and the complex dynamics of military strategy further complicate prospects for a resolution, as Russia continues its assaults amid a challenging path toward peace.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
