The deal between Moscow and Kyiv to unblock Ukrainian grain exports may offer a way forward to a possible ceasefire, said former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Reuter.
The first Ukrainian grain ship, since the start of the war, safely anchored off Turkey’s coast on Tuesday, August 2nd, and is due to be inspected on Wednesday, August 3rd. Ankara expects approximately one grain ship to depart from Ukraine every day as long as the export agreement holds.
Reuter informs that Schroeder told Stern weekly and broadcasters RTL/ntv about Kremlin willingness to negotiate solution, adding that he met with Putin in Moscow previous week.
Former German chancellor considers that a grain deal is the first success that can slowly lead to a possible ceasefire.
According to Reuters, Schroeder said solutions to such crucial problems as Crimea could be found over time and that an alternative to NATO membership for Ukraine might be armed neutrality, like Austria. However, the future of the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, where fighting is fierce, could be more complicated.
He also considers that solution should be found similar to Swiss cantonal model, adding it would have to be seen if Putin is ready go back to a pre-war «contact line» in a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Russia has accused the United States of being directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine and not just supplying Kyiv with arms.
Russia said it was reacting to comments by Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine’s deputy head of military intelligence, about the way Kyiv had used U.S.-made and supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers based on excellent satellite imagery and real-time information.
Skibitsky told Britain’s Telegraph newspaper there was consultation between U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence officials before strikes, but U.S. officials were not providing direct targeting information.