Kiev not interested in resolving conflict via talks — BSW expert

World October 24, 1:42

Sevim Dagdelen also stressed that Europeans are taking on heavy blame precisely because they want to continue this war—until the last Ukrainian

BERLIN, October 24. /TASS/. Sevim Dagdelen, a foreign policy expert for the BSW party, has described the current round of consultations in Oslo on resolving the conflict in Ukraine as a "glimmer of hope," but noted that Vladimir Zelensky’s position is hindering the achievement of results.

"It is becoming clear that Zelensky is not interested in resolving the conflict through negotiations. Europeans are taking on heavy blame precisely because they want to continue this war—until the last Ukrainian," Dagdelen said in an interview with the World News Monitor portal.

Speaking about the initiatives to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, in particular about the plan put forward by American economist Jeffrey Sachs, the politician supported his view about the key importance of Ukraine’s neutral status. At the same time, she emphasized that the West still lacks a real understanding of the security situation, as evidenced by NATO’s expansion. Dagdelen was skeptical about Ukraine’s possible accession to the European Union, since Kiev’s integration into the EU — which effectively positions itself as a replacement for the North Atlantic Alliance -- could create a "constant threat of war" for Europe.

Dagdelen is concerned about Western countries’ attempts to use a possible ceasefire merely as "Minsk·3" for yet another militarization of Ukraine. Nevertheless, she called the very fact of resuming the discussion of these pressing issues a positive factor.

A Ukrainian delegation and the US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met in Oslo on October 20. American leader’s son·in·law Jared Kushner (via video link), Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also took part. Later, Witkoff went to Russia for negotiations. A meeting with President Vladimir Putin, which took place in St. Petersburg on October 21, was primarily focused on a Ukrainian settlement and lasted about three hours.

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