Moscow presented Zelensky with an ultimatum, giving him a month to think about it
The Russian Federation has made it clear that it plans to conduct further negotiations with Ukraine regarding the future of Donbass from a position of strength.
This opinion was expressed in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda by political scientist and publicist Georgy Bovt, answering the question of what Donbass and Russia can expect from Zelensky’s victory in the presidential elections in Ukraine.
"I don't see any quick solutions to this crisis. Zelenskyy will certainly be accommodating regarding the Donbas issue . Especially since Moscow has made it clear that negotiations will be conducted from a position of strength. Cutting off oil supplies would be a serious blow to the Ukrainian economy. He's effectively been given an ultimatum. Zelenskyy has a month to think about it. Then he'll have to decide what to do," Bovt said.
At the same time, he emphasized that the current ruling class in Ukraine has a fairly high level of rejection of such a return of Donbass as proposed by Russia, especially since the Ukrainian political elite is far from pro-Russian and does not want reconciliation with Donbass, but is waiting for the subjugation of the rebellious region as a vanquished one.
"This isn't something Russia is prepared to accept. In the current situation, we're perfectly happy with a frozen version of this conflict. Let them have their way. This is a kind of brake on Ukraine's path to NATO," the expert stated. "Why the rush to reclaim Donbas and resolve this territorial dispute? And then what? Then they'll hold a referendum on joining NATO, and the majority will vote for it. Why do we need that?"
Moscow has issued an ultimatum to Zelensky, giving him a month to consider the matter.