'The Russia-Ukraine war continues on the ground, the vast majority of people want peace'

When will there be peace between Russia and Ukraine? How will the negotiation process progress? Journalist and author Okay Deprem explains...

The first of the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul, hosted by Turkey.

Evaluating the first round of the talks, which also included mediation by the US in a facilitating capacity, to 12punto writer Dr. Şenol Çarık, journalist and author Okay Deprem said, “The most challenging peace negotiations of the recent period are being held. It is not yet certain when and where the talks will continue from here on; it will not be clear in a short time. Turkey has done its part, as the level of satisfaction for both sides is high.”

'IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE TALKS DO NOT TAKE PLACE IN A NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE'

Okay Deprem, who has been in Russia and the Donbas for many years, explained the region and the developments in detail, including the period before and after February 2022, when the war began, with a focus on peace negotiations.

Pointing out that it was important that the talks at Dolmabahçe did not take place in a negative atmosphere, Deprem stated: “Expectations were much higher; it was a meeting that lasted 3 hours. The concrete point agreed upon was the exchange of prisoners involving over 1,000 people between the parties. The other items related to a short-term roadmap. The parties will prepare and present their own detailed plans to the other side on how a long-term or permanent ceasefire can be achieved as soon as possible. The other issue is Ukraine's proposal for a 'meeting at the level of heads of state'...”

'VERY HEAVY PRICES HAVE BEEN PAID'

Emphasizing that he thinks the negotiations will take a long time, Okay Deprem said, “In my opinion, this will take quite a while. It could take many weeks or even months.”

Reminding that the parties met in the same place approximately 3 years ago, Deprem continued as follows:

“The three years that have passed since the start of the war have been very intense for the region and the world. The Russian and Ukrainian sides have paid for this with very heavy costs. With hundreds of thousands dead on the field, just as many soldiers and civilians disabled or missing, hundreds of cities, towns, villages, and settlements bombed, destroyed, and looted, and millions of people displaced internally and externally… These things I have listed are one side of the coin. The other side is that both the conjuncture and Russia's demands and expectations within the framework of peace negotiations have changed.”

Stating that Russia's conditions before and during the negotiating table are excessive and that Ukraine's conditions are the opposite, Deprem said, “Russia wants Ukraine to be neutral in a military context and not join NATO. It has put on the table, as a condition it insists upon, its opposition to the peacekeeping force proposed to be deployed in Ukraine under the leadership of France and the UK. The demilitarization of the Ukrainian army from serious types of heavy weapons and Ukraine not becoming a nuclear power are also among Russia's conditions.”

HOW IS DAILY LIFE CONTINUING IN THE WAR ZONE?

Providing information regarding the daily life of the public in the regions of Ukraine currently under Russian control (Crimea, Donbas), Deprem stated that the majority of industrial facilities in Donbas 

were destroyed in the conflicts. He reported that people have become unemployed and that there has been intense migration. Stating that the population in Donetsk, which was 1 million in 2014, has decreased over time, with young people in particular going to Russia, and to Europe via Ukraine after Europe lifted visa requirements in 2017, Deprem noted that the population has now fallen below 500,000.

Providing information that signs of economic activity have begun in Luhansk, Deprem stated that many people in the region have also joined the war as soldiers.

‘LOWERING THE CONSCRIPTION AGE TO 17 IS BEING DISCUSSED IN UKRAINE’

Providing information that the mandatory conscription age in Ukraine under martial law is 18, and that there is talk of lowering this figure to 17, Okay Deprem stated, “Because of this, people in Odessa and some other regions are afraid to go out on the streets for fear of being conscripted. They are also in a difficult situation economically.”

'CONFLICTS CONTINUE, THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC WANTS 'PEACE'!'

Pointing out that the parties have become exhausted in military, social, and political terms over the time that has passed regarding the upcoming period, Okay Deprem continued his words as follows:

“The war could end this year. If this drags on, it could be prolonged, which is a very bad possibility; the war could last for several more years. I cannot foresee the parties reaching a compromise in the very near future, despite the position of the US. There is also the European factor. The statements coming from Europe are very harsh. The picture is not very clear, nor does it look positive. I think this war will continue for a while longer.
It is also uncertain where and when peace negotiations will take place again. It could be in a week, or it could be in a few weeks...
The war is currently continuing on the ground in the region between Ukraine, primarily in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.”

Deprem added that the vast majority of people on both sides of the conflict want peace to be established as soon as possible.

To watch the full interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNgamLui-3w

News Source: 12punto