https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250520/its-time-for-kiev-to-stop-bravado--sit-down-at-negotiating-table-south-african-researcher-says-1073300589.html
It's Time for Kiev to Stop 'Bravado' & Sit Down at Negotiating Table, South African Researcher Says
It's Time for Kiev to Stop 'Bravado' & Sit Down at Negotiating Table, South African Researcher Says
Sputnik Africa
Peace talks on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict are inevitable, Kiev cannot "continue forcing old men and young boys into conscription and sending them... 20.05.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-05-20T17:18+0200
2025-05-20T17:18+0200
2025-05-20T18:18+0200
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Ukraine's military situation is dire, and Kiev does not have forces to continue it, Volodymyr Zelensky must be truthful and abandon "bravado" to start peace negotiations with Russia, Dr. Oscar van Heerden of the University of Johannesburg told Sputnik Africa.The speaker also drew a parallel to South Africa's 1990s talks that ended apartheid — emphasizing the need for truth and compromise.Without US Support, Europe's Backing of Ukraine is Just Empty Talk – What's Left for Zelensky? However, Kiev is currently in its weakest position ever, and Zelensky can't afford to make "too many demands," he emphasized. The Europeans are "talking big" — but it's all talk." They cannot sustain the Ukrainian conflict without the backing of the United States, according to van Heerden.Europe's Hidden Role in Blocking 2022 Peace Talks on Ukraine – Repeat Risk? Europe has already demonstrated that it is a "disruptor" of peace talks, the speaker said.In 2022, Russia and Ukraine were close to a peace deal in Istanbul — until ex-UK PM Johnson "came whisking," urging Zelensky not to sign the deal, recalled van Heerden.In contrast, the US is ready "to cut their losses and go back to the drawing board," much like it did when withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the researcher added.
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It's Time for Ukraine to Stop 'Bravado' and Sit Down at Negotiating Table, South African Researcher Says
Sputnik Africa
It's Time for Ukraine to Stop 'Bravado' and Sit Down at Negotiating Table, South African Researcher Says
2025-05-20T17:18+0200
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Without US Support, Europe's Backing of Ukraine is Just Empty Talk – What's Left for Zelensky?
Sputnik Africa
Without US Support, Europe's Backing of Ukraine is Just Empty Talk – What's Left for Zelensky?
2025-05-20T17:18+0200
true
PT1S
Europe's Hidden Role in Blocking 2022 Peace Talks on Ukraine – Repeat Risk?
Sputnik Africa
Europe's Hidden Role in Blocking 2022 Peace Talks on Ukraine – Repeat Risk?
2025-05-20T17:18+0200
true
PT1S
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africa insight, volodymyr zelensky, kiev, ukraine, ukraine crisis, russia, europe, conflict, military, military aid, peace, peace talks, boris johnson, international, видео
africa insight, volodymyr zelensky, kiev, ukraine, ukraine crisis, russia, europe, conflict, military, military aid, peace, peace talks, boris johnson, international, видео
It's Time for Kiev to Stop 'Bravado' & Sit Down at Negotiating Table, South African Researcher Says
17:18 20.05.2025 (Updated: 18:18 20.05.2025) Elizaveta Roschina
Writer/Editor
Peace talks on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict are inevitable, Kiev cannot "continue forcing old men and young boys into conscription and sending them to the frontline," a South African researcher of the University of Johannesburg said.
Ukraine's military situation is dire, and Kiev does not have forces to continue it, Volodymyr Zelensky must be truthful and abandon "bravado" to start peace negotiations with Russia, Dr. Oscar van Heerden of the University of Johannesburg told Sputnik Africa.
"Zelensky will have to be truthful. Otherwise, […] the Russians are just going to look at him and say, what clownish behavior is this now? Can we be serious?" noted the senior research fellow at the center for African diplomacy and leadership.
The speaker also drew a parallel to South Africa's 1990s talks that ended apartheid — emphasizing the need for truth and compromise.
Without US Support, Europe's Backing of Ukraine is Just Empty Talk – What's Left for Zelensky?
"If you want to negotiate as an equal, then you must demonstrate that on the battlefield," the researcher pointed out.
However, Kiev is currently in its weakest position ever, and Zelensky can't afford to make "too many demands," he emphasized.
The Europeans are "talking big" — but it's all talk." They cannot sustain the Ukrainian conflict without the backing of the United States, according to van Heerden.
Europe's Hidden Role in Blocking 2022 Peace Talks on Ukraine – Repeat Risk?
Europe has already demonstrated that it is a "disruptor" of peace talks, the speaker said.
In 2022, Russia and Ukraine were close to a peace deal in Istanbul — until ex-UK PM Johnson "came whisking," urging Zelensky not to sign the deal, recalled van Heerden.
"If we have to speculate, it will [be] the Europeans that will disrupt whatever peace agreement there is," he stated.
In contrast, the US is ready "to cut their losses and go back to the drawing board," much like it did when withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the researcher added.
