In a recent interview with Le Monde, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, outlined his strategic objectives during the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. His primary focus is to prevent any significant advances by Russian forces while also seeking opportunities to reclaim Ukrainian territory.
General Syrskyi emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong defensive position, stating, “My task until the end of the negotiations is to ensure that, regardless of the circumstances, my actions on the battlefield prevent the enemy from making deep incursions into our defensive lines and, if possible, liberate our territory.” He believes that achieving these military goals is essential for ensuring fair negotiations that could lead to a just peace.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated in an interview with Piers Morgan, published on YouTube on February 18, that the next round of trilateral negotiations involving the United States and Russia would take place in Switzerland. While he did not specify a date for the talks, he highlighted the significance of conducting them in Europe.
Following the completion of previous discussions in Geneva, Zelenskyy noted that while there had been progress on military matters, political issues remained sensitive. He remarked, “So far, the positions are different because the negotiations were not easy… I heard progress in military terms, but in political terms, there was dialogue, and we agreed to continue. However, I did not hear as much progress in the political direction as I did in the military.” He stated that further details would be available upon the return of the negotiating team to Ukraine.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi outlined his military strategy to prevent Russian advances during ongoing peace talks, while President Zelenskyy emphasized the need for further dialogue on political issues. Both leaders stress the importance of military readiness in achieving a fair resolution to the conflict.