On August 24 (US time), US Vice President J.D Vance said Russia had made essential concessions in the negotiations to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict with Ukraine. He emphasized that although there are no clear signs of the end, progress has been recorded after many years of stagnation.
In an interview, Mr. Vance said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted a number of new points, including the fact that Ukraine will receive security guarantees to prevent the risk of future attacks. He stressed that this was the first time in three and a half years that Russia had accepted giving up the intention of forming a pro-Russian government in Kiev, while acknowledging the need for a commitment to territorial integrity for Ukraine.
According to the source, in exchange for the end of the attacks, Russia asked Ukraine to abandon the entire Donbass region, maintain a neutral stance, not join NATO and not allow Western forces to be present on the territory.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that a group of countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council, could become a security guarantee for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has warned that he will impose additional sanctions on Russia if there is no progress in the next two weeks. Last week, he met with Putin in Alaska. Mr. Vance noted that the new sanctions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but admitted that it is unlikely to make Russia quickly accept the ceasefire.
Mr. Vance also cited the additional 25% tax Mr. Trump imposed on Indian goods because the country buys oil from Russia as an example of how to use economic pressure to promote peace. According to him, the clear message is that Russia can only reintegrate into the world economy if the attack ends or it will continue to be isolated.
