Staff Reports
Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race has apparently sent shockwaves well beyond American borders, particularly to Russia, which now claims it is open to negotiating with Ukraine. This newfound willingness to chat marks quite the shift, and it looks like some leaders in Ukraine might be feeling the urge to discuss peace, even if it means going against their beloved President Zelensky.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has taken to the stage in Beijing, telling the Chinese Communist Party diplomats that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia. Interestingly, this is happening despite Zelensky’s steadfast refusal over the past two years to even consider peace talks while Russian troops occupy territory, including Crimea. Perhaps the world is seeing how important it is to keep the conversation going — unless you want to find yourself on the losing side like, say, someone who decides to ignore calls from a rival.
State Department official says the Russian President won't engage in peace talks with the US until the results of our next presidential election.
Does anyone take President Biden seriously? pic.twitter.com/vmeSZBh88b
— Reality Check (@XvirtueSignaler) November 16, 2023
The Chinese foreign ministry had a lot to say on the matter, emphasizing the need for a “just and lasting peace” rather than just some fairy tale version of harmony. Nothing says “we care” like an unsolicited lecture about peace from a country that has perfected the art of diplomatic deception, especially while it’s cozying up to Russia. One can’t help but wonder if they’ve been taking notes from the Biden administration on how to spin a narrative.
As Biden steps back, whispers around Washington suggest that his withdrawal may have sparked a sense of urgency in Moscow. The Global Times, that bastion of reliable journalism, speculates that Russia’s change of heart was influenced by the possibility of new leadership coming from the U.S. If only there had been a chance for a real leader like Donald Trump, who was ready to cut off U.S. funding to Ukraine unless peace negotiations commenced. Talk about putting pressure where it belongs!
A little side report from Euro News did not shy away from the assertion that Zelensky has become a “puppet of the West.” Their claim? Decisions about Ukraine’s engagement with Russia seemed just a tad more rooted in Washington than in Kyiv — something any self-respecting conservative could see as a colossal misstep. Meanwhile, Zelensky seems unfazed by talk of a Trump resurgence, expressing a willingness to work with him if he reclaims the White House. It’s almost adorable, but probably not the best strategy to bank on a convoluted tie to American politics when the stakes are this high.
As Kuleba and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi muse over potential paths to peace and “common ground,” one can’t help but wonder if this all isn’t just a lot of political maneuvering. With everything at stake, it appears that the players on the board are beginning to reposition. Will Ukraine roll the dice on peace talks, or will Zelensky’s firm stance hold true? It might just depend on who’s running the show on the other side of the Atlantic, and whether those discussions reach a stage where real action can occur.
