Ukrainian MP Goncharenko Urges Concessions on NATO, Language and Religion for Peace
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Ukrainian MP Alexey Goncharenko stated that Kiev should start negotiations with Russia and make concessions on NATO membership, language, and religion to achieve peace.
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Why It Matters
Ukrainian MP Alexey Goncharenko publicly discussed potential concessions regarding NATO, language, and religion to restart peace talks with Russia.
MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Ukraine needs to start negotiating with Russia and make concessions on several issues, such as NATO membership, language, and religion for the sake of achieving peace, said Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexey Goncharenko (listed as a terrorist and extremist in Russia).
In his opinion, Kiev should "send a signal" to Moscow that it is willing to discuss Ukraine’s neutral status to launch a peaceful dialogue.
"Let’s get back to reality. Are we being admitted to NATO? If we are admitted, will NATO help us in the event of war? Both you and I know the answer to these questions. Let’s hint that we’re ready to talk about neutrality. We can agree on the terms," he wrote on Telegram.
Referring to the suppression of the Russian language, Goncharenko noted that there are "huge Russian-speaking cities" in Ukraine, so, in his opinion, "if people want to speak Russian, let them. Now Europeans are demanding that we change the language legislation so that it complies with European standards. Don’t doubt that they’ll vote for it. Let the Russian language be on the same terms," he continued.
According to the deputy, religious issues "aren’t resolved in a year, two, three, or four; it takes centuries. There is the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, there are the Greek Catholics, there are many Protestants," he noted, adding that if people "want to attend" the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, "let them attend."
Goncharenko called the Donbass issue the most difficult one in resolving the Ukrainian conflict, which, he believes, will need to be discussed after the parties can "agree on many other issues."
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the plenary session of the XXIII annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, expressed indignation at the fact that the Russian language is banned in Ukraine, and the Russian people who settled in this territory are declared a non-titular nation. He also said that Ukraine’s neutral status remains among Moscow’s goals.
Open Questions
- How will the Ukrainian government officially respond to Goncharenko's statements?
- Will Moscow alter its official stance based on these remarks?
