Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with General Valery Gerasimov at the headquarters of the Russian armed forces in Rostov-on-Don in October. / Photo by Kremlin Press Office
American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh made another revealing statement. Referring to an unnamed official in Washington, Seymour Hersh reported that “cease-fire negotiations have begun between Russia and Ukraine.” According to him, the negotiations are being conducted by the chiefs of the General Staffs of the armed forces of Ukraine and Russia – Valery Zaluzhny and Valery Gerasimov. Moreover, Zaluzhny is reportedly negotiating with Russia without the consent of President Zelensky.
According to the investigator, the West has made it clear to Zelensky that if he does not agree to negotiate with Moscow, then someone else will do it. The negotiations are based on the situation on the front. Hersh states that the Russian side stands that Kiev should recognize Crimea and the Russian-controlled territories of Donbass, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions as part of Russia.
In its turn, Kiev could reportedly join NATO with the rest of its territory, but the alliance will take responsibility not to deploy its troops and offensive weapons on Ukrainian territory.
So far, neither Moscow nor Kiev has officially commented on the report.
According to Hersh, the White House is “completely against the proposed agreement.” Another obstacle is the position of Zelensky, who insists on war to the bitter end and legislatively ban any negotiations with Russia.
