Whenever you hear a term like “Russia suggests…” used by an Ambassador of that nation you can take it that the words are a preliminary ‘feel out’ – not necessarily official government policy, but also not necessarily untrue – of potential reaction to the ‘suggestion’.
An Ambassador would not be expected, for instance, to promulgate lies or other misleading words. That would likely cost him his job.
I used the words ‘him’ and ‘his’ in this instance because I was not sure if there were any female Russian Ambassadors. Well, while I can’t put my finger on a number, there certainly are several such privileged and qualified women. An Ambassador is a Diplomat, so why did not the now world famous Maria Zakharova spring immediately to mind? She is one, and a fine example of the authority that women can bring to the field of diplomacy, even though it remains much a male dominated domain.
In fact, the world’s first ever female Ambassador was a Russian woman. I will leave you to find out the details in this – which must be one of Sputnik’s finest articles, from 2016: Soft Power: The Professional Secrets of Russia’s Top Female Diplomats
It is a sad fact that during the Soviet era, Russia’s diplomatic service became once again an exclusive male domain, but that, thankfully, has now been changed.
Alexandra Kollontai, in this quote from Wikipedia (useful sometimes) was “a Russian revolutionary, politician, diplomat and Marxist theoretician. Serving as the People’s Commissar for Welfare in Vladimir Lenin’s government in 1917–1918. She was a highly prominent woman within the Bolshevik party. She was the first woman in history to be a cabinet minister, and the first woman ambassador“, all of which, as a reminder, was pre-Soviet times.
That unexpected diversion is now over. Back to Ambassadorial suggestions.
So, it has been suggested, by Russia’s Ambassador to London, that…
‘Russia suggests Istanbul deal as basis for Ukrainian reconciliation — diplomat’ – TASS -March 7, 2025
Of course, that Istanbul deal, or as it turned out non-deal (for which Ukraine has paid dearly), took place in 2022 -if my memory serves. A lot has happened since that time and Russia is now (In fact, and playing it cool, always was) on the ascendant in that conflict. There was never, at least in my mind, any doubt about that, although a number of unexpected events have taken place over the last three years. Russia at no point, was not in control of the situation. Irrespective of what weapons, or supposedly invisible foreign forces and intelligence support were thrown against her.
So, while a sound basis can be granted of the Istanbul document, as a start point for agreement today or in the future, it was based purely on the situation at the time of its production. Again, without a doubt, this will not be the written contract, for entry into historical records, that Russia will finally present for agreement whenever Ukraine and the West are ready, willing, and capable of officially acknowledging and adhering to it.
So, the suggestion made by Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin, does have a basis in truth. A starting basis. But that basis is not one for negotiation. It will be, I fully expect, heavily adjusted to ensure that all of Russia’s demands for security and a peaceful future – not necessarily elucidated in the original – are included (as non-negotiable) in the final document presented for agreement.
And if no such proposal is accepted by those opposing Russia, well, I guess, the war goes on until it is – or until such words lose all meaning.
Not Something Else 