War in Ukraine: between Zelensky and Putin, the impossible negotiation?

After 24 days of incessant bombing, the Russian offensive East more laborious than expected. The Ukrainian President, Volodymur Zelensky, for his part, calls on the rest of the world to obtain serious discussions with Moscow (Russia). What are the power stakes in this difficult negotiation? In a video posted on the night of Friday March 18 to Saturday March 19, the President Zelensky addressed Vladimir Putin : “It’s time to come together, discuss, restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine.“

As for the talks, after first physical meetings in Belarus, the two delegations are now discussing by videoconference. Ukraine demands an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian troops. The country is ready to give up theNATO, but calls for strong security guarantees with allied countries. The Russians, for their part, claim the neutrality of Ukraine, like Austria after the Second World War, without a military alliance, as well asrecognition of Crimea and Donbass as independent republics, a red line for kyiv (Ukraine).

Among the rare signs ofadvancements in the negotiations, Moscow no longer necessarily demands a change of regime in kyiv. A physical encounter between Zelensky and Putin is even now being considered.