Der Spiegel, a German news outlet, reported on October 13 that the Ukrainian government was considering options to end Russia’s full-scale conflict. This would include temporarily suspending the goal of restoring Ukraine‘s full territorial integrity.
Currently, more than 20% of Ukraine is under Russian occupation. The full liberation of all occupied territory is a pillar of President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s peace formula for Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that it will not make territorial concessions with Moscow.
Der Spiegel reported that the government is currently in “serious discussion” about abandoning its goal of full territorial restoration.
The source said, “We believed victory meant unconditional surrender by (Russian President Vladimir Putin)’s Russia.”
Source: This was a “mistaken view of victory,” claiming that an agreement to end war would be impossible without concessions.
According to the official, the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine as well as the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential elections are factors that have Kyiv considering territorial concessions.
The official told Der Spiegel that the Americans would slowly but surely pull out, regardless of whether it was (former U.S. president Donald) Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump has criticised U.S. aid for Ukraine, calling Zelensky “a salesman” and promising to get the U.S. out of the conflict if elected again. House Speaker Mike Johnson, an ally of Trump, told the press recently that he had no “desire for further Ukraine financing.”
Harris, on the other hand, has attacked proposals to end wars that include Ukraine giving up large areas of its sovereign land.
Harris said, “These proposals are the exact same as those of Putin and let us be clear: these are not peace proposals,” on September 26.
“Instead they are proposals of surrender, which is both dangerous and unacceptable.”
Russian troops control parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow claims that it has annexed all of these regions, despite not having control over two regional capitals – Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Russian forces also occupy Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.
A poll conducted in July of this year found that 55% oppose territorial concessions made to Russia as a trade-off for peace. The number is lower than in previous surveys. In February and December 2023, polls found that 65% of Ukrainians opposed such concessions.
Mykhailo Podolyak is an adviser at the Presidential Office. He said on September 17 that none the plans Ukraine has developed to end Russia’s conflict envisage a ceasefire, or transferring territory to Moscow. This is despite media reports.
“We are witnessing an increasing alliance between Russia, and regimes such as North Korea. It’s not just about transferring arms. It is about transferring North Koreans to the occupying forces.”
“We must understand that this can only happen in a way where Ukraine gets more money if we purchase.” “They will be able produce more for their military,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated.
The Washington Post quoted an officer from the 72nd Mechanized Brigade as saying, “They just overpowered” us. The officer claimed that Russia’s access Starlink was the key factor in the loss.
According to the announcement, the U.K. committed to providing additional long-range weaponry, artillery and robotic systems. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron discussed opening a drone training center in France.
Biden was to convene, on Oct. 12 in Germany, a meeting of leaders from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group where President Volodymyr Zelensky was to present his victory strategy. He rescheduled his visit to oversee the emergency response for Hurricane Milton.
Anna Belokur, Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur, explains the top stories from the week. From the postponement the Ramstein Summit to the two-month anniversary Ukraine’s surprise invasion into Kursk Oblast.
Zelensky, in a video message posted on Telegram, said that Russia has also launched over 40 missiles and 400 combat-drones of different types.
“The killings of prisoners of war are a gross violation and international crime of the Geneva Conventions.” Kostin wrote on X that a criminal case was opened for the violation of laws and customs in war, combined with premeditated killing.
“Russia tried to push our positions back.” “But we are holding the lines defined,” he said.
Deepstate reported that the shootings took place on October 10, citing sources from Ukraine’s First Tank Brigade.
The two MiG-31K aircraft landed in Belarus in October 9 and 10 a year after their last appearance.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on October 13 that Russia has lost 668.930 troops since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
The Air Force reported that Russia also attacked Ukraine using two Iskander M ballistic missiles and 2 Kh-59 cruise missiles. The missiles were aimed at Chernihiv oblast, Sumy oblast, Poltava oblast, and Odesa ablast.
Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet, and BBC Russia confirmed through open-source research the names of 72 899 Russian soldiers killed since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion.
Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Presidential Office, said on October 12 that President Volodymyr Zelensky will reveal his “victory plans” publicly to Ukrainians “in a matter of days”.
In his evening address on October 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine and France are working together to establish new joint production facilities for defense.
The Press Play Prague Film Festival awarded the Best Film Award to the Kyiv Independent’s investigative film “He Came Back” on October 12. It reveals sexual crimes committed by the Russians during their occupation of Kyiv, Kherson and other oblasts at the beginning of 2022.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on October 12 that Iran had delivered two satellites manufactured in Iran to Russia for a launch scheduled soon. This is the latest example of space cooperation between two nations that are both under U.S. sanction.
Dusan Bajatovic is the CEO of Srbijagas – a state-owned Serbian company – and Alexey Miller is the CEO of Gazprom – a Russian state-owned energy giant. They expect Russian gas supplies to reach 400,000 cubic meters this winter.
Ukrainian troops, in cooperation with the Intelligence Service (HUR), struck a depot that contained oil and petroleum products that were used by the Russian military near Rovenky.
Ukraine’s officials reported that Russia has carried out massive attacks in Ukraine’s southern, eastern and southern regions in the last 24 hour. At least three civilians have been killed and 14 others injured.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on October 12 that Russia has lost 667 630 troops since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
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