As Ukraine, the G7, EU, NATO, and the U.S. discuss and coordinate measures to deter Russia from further invading Ukraine, leaders are focusing upon defense, deterrence, and diplomacy as practical paths towards de-escalation and possible peace.
“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in our condemnation of Russia’s military build-up and aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine.” stated the G7 nations in a united statement on Dec. 12.
“We call on Russia to de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on the transparency of military activities as President Biden did in his call with President Putin on 7 December. We reconfirm our support for the efforts of France and Germany in the Normandy Format to achieve full implementation of the Minsk Agreements in order to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.”
The G7 ministers reaffirmed their support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, clarifying that all sovereign states have a right to determine their own futures. The G7 advised Russia that it is illegal to try to change international borders and warned Russia of “massive consequences and severe cost in response” to another invasion of Ukraine.
Following up on this, President Zelensky wrote on his website on Dec. 15 that “Ukraine is ready to work in the Normandy format”, that he also had important talks that day with President Macron of France and Chancellor Scholz of Germany with regard to the next Normandy Four meeting, which will include Russian President Vladimir Putin. The three discussed specific details and now “have a common position”.
President Zelensky announced that Ukraine is ready for any format of talks that may lead to “progress in the fulfilment of the Minsk agreements or other steps aimed to end the conflict in the east of our country”.
The President additionally called for U.S. President Biden and the U.S. to be more involved in the peace process.
President Biden stated on the morning of Dec. 15 that he would be “talking at length” again with Russian President Putin, but he didn’t give any further details. The time depends upon the reports of U.S. and Russian experts who are having detailed discussions at the moment.
One of these experts is Dr. Karen Donfried, U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. In her visit to Kyiv on Dec. 13-14, she met with the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Deputy Head of Delegation for Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group Andriy Kostin. Discussions included increasing support for Ukraine, deterrence from Russian aggression, and the implementation of the Minsk 2 peace agreement.
Before flying to Moscow for talks with Russian experts and officials, Dr. Donfried shared a video message on the U.S. embassy Facebook page on Dec. 14. She said that the U.S. aims “to support our Ukrainian colleagues as we work to de-escalate tensions due to Russia’s build-up,” that the U.S. is “committed to ensuring no decisions or discussions take place about Ukraine without Ukraine” and that the U.S. is “united with Ukraine, our NATO Allies, and partners around the world in our efforts to pursue diplomacy and de-escalate a dangerous situation.”
After talks in Moscow with Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, and Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister on Dec. 15, Dr. Donfried posted a video update on the U.S. Embassy in Russia’s Twitter page.
The U.S. representative said that she conveyed clearly to Kremlin officials the concerns of the U.S. about the present unexplained Russian build-up in and near Ukraine, the need to de-escalate this unnecessary build-up; that the U.S. and partners fully support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. She also affirmed that President Biden sees diplomacy as the only positive solution towards de-escalating the present crisis, along with the implementation of the Minsk Agreement.
“We are ready to help to facilitate these diplomatic efforts in support of the Normandy format” said Dr. Donfried.
From the Russian side, the U.S. official confirmed that Mr Ryabkov presented her with “Moscow’s proposals on European Security” and indicated that she would share these with allies and partners in Brussels, her next destination.
The U.S. official concluded with a comment that all of these diplomatic negotiations are in line with President Bidens’ policy to create a “stable and predictable” relationship with the Russian Federation.
On Dec. 15. Kaja Kallas, Estonian Prime Minister tweeted that “Russia has no right to say anything about who can join the EU or NATO. Military pressure from outside to make NATO, Ukraine or EU change its decisions is not acceptable.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations met on Dec. 15 and proposed legislation to significantly increase support for Ukraine and to designate “Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in the event its forces further invade Ukraine.”
