Consider This from NPR
The long history of Russia's broken promises to Ukraine
Mar 21, 2025
Sirhi Plahy, a Harvard historian specializing in Russia-Ukraine relations, discusses the historical context of Ukraine's skepticism towards Russia's peace promises. He highlights how Ukraine's 1991 independence and the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where they sacrificed nuclear arms for security, have shaped current distrust. Plahy emphasizes the emotional toll on Ukrainians dealing with past betrayals and their quest for self-reliance amid challenges in international support and ongoing negotiations, painting a harrowing picture of a nation grappling with its past.
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Quick takeaways
- Despite a recent limited ceasefire, deep mistrust and accusations of violations reveal the complex path toward lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.
- Ukraine's skepticism towards Russian promises stems from a historical pattern of broken agreements, underscoring the need for solid security guarantees.
Deep dives
Recent Ceasefire Negotiations
A recent agreement between Ukrainian and Russian presidents, facilitated by President Trump, established a limited 30-day ceasefire primarily aimed at protecting energy infrastructure. However, despite this progress, both sides have already begun accusing each other of violations, indicating deep mistrust in the negotiations. Meetings in Saudi Arabia have been scheduled to refine the details of this ceasefire, but they also underscore the complexities of reaching a lasting peace given the historical context of broken promises. The skepticism surrounding the agreement largely stems from past experiences where ceasefires were established yet swiftly disregarded, highlighting the fragile nature of current negotiations.
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