And what about non-“waiter” Ukrainians still in the occupied territories? What happens to them under Russian rule? And what Ukrainian leader can make the case to the population that territorial concessions are necessary and not be voted out?
I think a lot of those who believe “negotiations will be necessary” believe that’s how all wars end, and Ukraine will enter into them when it has achieved a stronger negotiating position.
> And what about non-“waiter” Ukrainians still in the occupied territories? What happens to them under Russian rule?
Yeah there are tons of incredibly difficult issues that would arise in any such discussions, the fate of Ukrainians living in occupied regions being one of the biggest ones. I didn't want to get into the specifics because that wasn't really my point--which is that, even if Ukraine agreed to territorial concessions, Russia's war goals mean there's probably no way they could give Ukraine the kind of reassurance it absolutely needs. As of right now, at least.
> And what Ukrainian leader can make the case to the population that territorial concessions are necessary and not be voted out?
I think it would hugely depend on what exactly those territorial concessions are, and what Ukraine gets for those concessions. In the abstract, I do think this is something a large share of the population could accept if Ukraine could get extremely strong security guarantees. But then, well, we go back to my initial point.
And what about non-“waiter” Ukrainians still in the occupied territories? What happens to them under Russian rule? And what Ukrainian leader can make the case to the population that territorial concessions are necessary and not be voted out?
I think a lot of those who believe “negotiations will be necessary” believe that’s how all wars end, and Ukraine will enter into them when it has achieved a stronger negotiating position.
> And what about non-“waiter” Ukrainians still in the occupied territories? What happens to them under Russian rule?
Yeah there are tons of incredibly difficult issues that would arise in any such discussions, the fate of Ukrainians living in occupied regions being one of the biggest ones. I didn't want to get into the specifics because that wasn't really my point--which is that, even if Ukraine agreed to territorial concessions, Russia's war goals mean there's probably no way they could give Ukraine the kind of reassurance it absolutely needs. As of right now, at least.
> And what Ukrainian leader can make the case to the population that territorial concessions are necessary and not be voted out?
I think it would hugely depend on what exactly those territorial concessions are, and what Ukraine gets for those concessions. In the abstract, I do think this is something a large share of the population could accept if Ukraine could get extremely strong security guarantees. But then, well, we go back to my initial point.