However, Russian artillery continued to bombard Ukraine’s capital Kyiv as well as other cities. Zelenskyy is well aware that the U.S. and NATO allies are reluctant to take any steps that could escalate the conflict and have made it clear that a no fly zone is unlikely.
Despite not having any cover from the top, Ukrainian forces managed to stop Russian ground troops from entering Kyiv. The rhetoric from Moscow and Kyiv seems to indicate that there could be some progress after several rounds of intense, direct negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Wednesday that the neutral status of Ukraine’s military was being discussed in the talks between Ukrainian-Russian delegations. He described it as “business-like.”
Before addressing Congress, Zelenskyy stated that “Meetings continue.” While he acknowledged that talks needed additional time, he said, “as far as I am informed, the Russian positions in the negotiations seem more realistic.”
Zelenskyy stated days ago his willingness to consider adopting neutral status. He told a group European allies that his country had “to accept” that NATO membership was not possible — something his government long desired and Russia long rejected.
Zelenskyy’s senior aide Mykhailo Polyak said on Wednesday that a “model for security guarantees” was being discussed at the table.
What does this all mean? He said that it was a rigid agreement, with several guarantor countries taking clear legal obligations to prevent attacks. Podolyak didn’t say how the Russian side had received the “model”.
Russia’s longest-serving foreign minister, Lavrov, stated Wednesday that there are “no barriers” to a hypothetical meeting with Zelenskyy and Putin. However, it was understood that the meeting would not be for “its own sake,” and would need to sign concrete agreements, which are being worked out currently by the two parties.
He stated that the meetings would continue Wednesday via remote video link.
It was unclear just how far Zelenskyy’s government would go to satisfy Russia’s other demands. Putin demanded that Ukraine recognize Donetsk and Luhansk in their eastern regions as independent. He also wanted the Crimean Peninsula to be annexed as Russian territory.
Putin has maintained his public assertions that his military will reach the goal of “demilitarization” in Ukraine. However, there has been no mention of this during the negotiations for Ukrainian forces to lay down their weapons.
Zelenskyy rebuffed the idea in a message that he posted to Instagram Wednesday.
He said, “I can offer to lay down only the arms [of] the Russian Federation’s military and propose that they return home.” “We are already here. We are already at home. Until we win.”
The diplomatic push for a diplomatic solution continues to fuel this fight.
CBS News correspondent Chris Livesay reported Wednesday on a strict curfew in Kyiv. It was set to continue until Thursday morning as shelling once more rocked the capital city and other Ukrainian cities.
Kharkiv, in the northeast, near Russia’s border is one of the hardest hit cities. Officials from Ukraine said Wednesday that Russian bombardment had destroyed 600 buildings and killed at least 500 people since the beginning of the war. Schools, nurseries and hospitals were all destroyed.
Livesay reported that Zelenskyy met Zelenskyy in person on Wednesday, as the artillery bombardment continued. They said that their train journey to the warzone was a brave gesture of support for the “independence” of Ukraine.
Livesay stated that Ukrainian forces are resisting nightly assaults on Mykolaiv’s southern port. Meanwhile, they seize Russian weapons and turn them against the invaders.
Despite being subject to brutal aerial attacks, Ukraine’s defense forces have continued to defy the odds and continue to bog down the enemy — possibly increasing the leverage of their political leaders at the negotiating table.