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Transcript/ScriptUS-RUSSIA-UKRAINE MARCH 31
HEADLINE: Experts Warn Russia Not Ready for Cease-Fire With Ukraine
TEASER: This round of peace talks is more promising than the last round, experts say, and Turkey is in a unique position to mediate
PUBLISHED AT: 3/31/2022, 8:49p
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
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SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, Mia
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PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
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VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
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((INTRO: ))
[[Experts say Russia is sending mixed signals, continuing to pound Ukrainian cities amid peace talks in Istanbul. Ukrainian officials say the two delegations have discussed the terms of a possible cease-fire, along with international security guarantees for Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv pledging neutrality. VOA senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
Russian military forces are continuing to shell Kharkiv, Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, despite a promise made by Moscow to reduce attacks on the capital.
Both Russian and Ukrainian delegations cited modest progress from ongoing peace talks in Istanbul, though there has not been a breakthrough.
Turkey’s foreign minister also hailed progress at the talks. Experts say Turkey desperately wants the 6-week-old Russian invasion of Ukraine to end because the stakes for its economy are high.
((Radio Intro: Maxwell Hoffman is with the Center for American Progress. He spoke to VOA via Skype.))
((Maxwell Hoffman, Center for American Progress))
((Mandatory Skype Video Courtesy))
“It relies on Russian energy for a large portion of its imports. It relies on wheat and other agricultural imports from both countries. And it really suffers from the spike in prices in both energy and commodity markets. And then also tourism is crucial to Turkey's economy, to their foreign currency reserves, replenishing those reserves. And both Russian and Ukrainian tourists are a big part of that and are unlikely to come or are unlikely to spend as much money this year, given the circumstances.”
((NARRATOR))
Another expert told VOA the fact that Turkey is a member of NATO means these talks took place at a location with more of a “home field advantage” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
((Radio Intro: Elizabeth Shackelford is with The Chicago Council on Global Affairs))
((Elizabeth Shackelford, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs))
((Mandatory Skype Video Courtesy))
“This is a huge difference from the prior in-person negotiations that were happening in Belarus, which is of course one of Russia's closest allies. So I think part of this as well is an indication that the tables are turning a bit and, you know, Russia no longer has the clear upper hand.”
((NARRATOR))
Ukrainian negotiators said they laid out concrete proposals, pledging not to join NATO or any other military alliance in exchange for reliable, international security guarantees that they would not face another Russian invasion.
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced skepticism about Russia’s desire for peace, saying the U.S. is watching what is happening on the ground in Ukraine.
((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State))
"I have not seen anything that suggests that this is moving forward in an effective way, because Russia — at least we've not seen signs of real seriousness. But if Ukraine concludes that there is, that's good, and we support that.”
((NARRATOR))
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to try to facilitate direct talks between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Putin has rejected direct talks.
((Cindy Saine, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 31, 2022 21:49 EDT
Byline((Cindy Saine, VOA News))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
