The Independent: Ukraine defines red lines in negotiations with Russia

Ukraine has outlined several red lines in negotiations over a potential peace agreement with Russia, according to high-ranking Ukrainian officials, as reported by the London-based The Independent newspaper.

These include not ceding territories that Russia doesn’t occupy, the return of Ukrainian children and civilians whom Moscow had abducted, and for solid international security guarantees to be set in place.

Ukrainian officials believe Russia is manipulating the peace process by delaying it and have described it as a “game from their side.”

“We are really willing to make peace, but we need a long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire. We do not want our children fighting this battle,” said a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Kyiv remains skeptical that Russia will agree to a fair deal.

“We expect another trick,” one source said.

Russia is demanding that Ukraine fully renounce the southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and the easternmost regions of Donetsk, and Luhansk regions, which are partially occupied by Russian forces and were illegally “annexed” by Russia, violating international law.

Sources say that Kyiv may lean toward freezing the current frontline for a ceasefire, but any concession of additional territory is unacceptable.

“It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporizhzhia or Kherson be fully handed over,” said the source, adding that Ukraine will do everything in its power to “retake it with diplomacy.”

There is significant concern in Ukraine about the impact of a ceasefire and a frozen front line on tens of thousands of Ukrainian children who were either forcibly taken to Russia or remained in occupied territories during the full-scale invasion.

One of the key demands in any agreement is the return of these children and for Russia to cease its policy of Russification, which includes the forced acquisition of Russian passports and national identity erasure through re-education camps.

Ukraine communicated its red line to its American partners during a meeting with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on March 13, according to European Pravda.