00:00 Ukraine can't return to the 1991 borders Top officials in Kiev angered by Zelensky's
00:10 victory rhetoric Amid worsening front line, a peace deal is
00:16 the only solution?
00:19 According to a report by The Guardian, higher-ranking officials in Ukraine have expressed skepticism
00:25 regarding President Volodymyr Zelensky's aspiration of restoring the country to its 1991 borders,
00:31 viewing such ambitions as impractical.
00:34 The prevailing sentiment among these officials suggests that they perceive Zelensky's rhetoric
00:38 of achieving total victory, including the recovery of all former Ukrainian territories,
00:43 as overly optimistic and detached from reality.
00:46 Zelensky has been advocating for a comprehensive resolution to the crisis since 2022, proposing
00:52 a roadmap that entails the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from all regions within
00:58 the Ukraine's 1991 borders, along with the demand of reparation from Moscow and establishment
01:04 of a war crime tribunal.
01:06 However, Moscow has dismissed Zelensky's proposal of peace formula as unrealistic ultimatum,
01:13 lacking grounding in practicality.
01:15 The Guardian report highlights a contrast between the public stance of Ukrainian officials,
01:19 who outwardly support Zelensky's statements and their private reservations.
01:24 Behind closed doors, these officials are more inclined towards a pragmatic approach, emphasising
01:29 the importance of Ukraine's survival as an independent state in the Western sphere, with
01:34 a room for sustainable development.
01:36 Furthermore, there is a growing frustration within Ukraine towards the Western powers,
01:42 particularly the United States, for what they perceive as inadequate support and delayed
01:47 action.
01:49 The US Congress' procrastination in approving the additional military aid has sparked resentment
01:54 among Ukrainian officials and the public alike, leading to doubt about the reliability of
01:59 Western allies in the face of ongoing challenges.
02:02 In addition to dissatisfaction with external support, there is internal discontent regarding
02:07 Zelensky's leadership.
02:09 His presidency officially ended on May 20 and has raised concerns over the legitimacy
02:15 of his continued tenure as the country's head of state.
02:19 Reports suggest that Zelensky is closely monitoring his dwindling popularity ratings, reflecting
02:25 a growing unease about his political standing among the Ukrainian populace.
02:29 Meanwhile, the Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his readiness to engage
02:33 in peace negotiations with Ukraine.
02:35 However, he has stressed the necessity of any future agreement reflecting the ground
02:40 realities of the war, hinting at the complexities involved in reaching a viable resolution acceptable
02:47 to both sides.
02:48 [music]
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