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Putin Agrees Conditionally to Ceasefire, Europe Draws "Red Lines" for the War
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The European Union's rejection of the idea of territorial concessions underscores that Ukraine’s future will not be settled without European involvement, complicating any potential settlement
Amidst Russia’s hesitant stance regarding the temporary U.S.-Ukraine ceasefire, the European Union has returned to the forefront with a new escalation, announcing its intention to impose additional sanctions on Russian figures and entities, alongside proposals to reduce reliance on the Starlink network in Ukraine.
According to a report by "Euractiv," EU governments have urged satellite communication service providers to search for a European alternative to Starlink, amid concerns that its owner, Elon Musk, might halt the service on which Ukrainian forces rely for military communications and drone control.
A document from the European Commission stated that the EU should fund the provision of these services through European providers, noting that the French company "Eutelsat" is the only entity currently capable of providing this service. While Starlink has around 40,000 stations in Ukraine, Eutelsat only has 2,000, with 4,000 additional stations ready to operate.
In related developments, four European satellite communication companies confirmed they have started exploring the possibility of offering alternative services to Ukraine if Starlink halts.
European Union Sets "Red Lines"
Amid escalating tensions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, warned that any potential agreement between Russia and Ukraine cannot be made without European involvement, stressing that Ukraine’s territorial integrity represents a red line that cannot be compromised. He added that any agreement brokered by the U.S. would not be sufficient without European inclusion, asserting that key "negotiation cards" remain in the EU's hands.
Regarding Russia’s stance on the U.S.-proposed ceasefire, Borrell speculated that Moscow would agree under conditions, noting that the U.S. had informed its allies that Russia might use the ceasefire as a tactic to prolong the war by "disrupting the negotiation process."
Russian Stance on Ceasefire: Acceptance with Conditions
In line with European escalation, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would not oppose a ceasefire, but only if it leads to a "long-term peace" addressing the root causes of the conflict. He stated that the ceasefire could provide Ukraine with an opportunity to regroup, especially given Russia’s current military advances, citing recent developments in the Kursk region.
These comments come at a time when Moscow is hosting a visit from former U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is set to meet with Russian officials to discuss the U.S. ceasefire proposal.
Ukrainian Concessions: A Key Russian Demand
Observers suggest that Moscow may impose strict conditions for agreeing to the ceasefire, including Ukraine’s recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over the four regions recently annexed, as well as Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Russia also demands that Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO, a key factor in sparking the ongoing war.
As international pressure mounts and tensions between Russia and the West continue, the fate of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire remains contingent on developments on the ground and diplomatic interactions in the coming period.
