Demilitarized Ukraine like Austria is possible compromise: Kremlin

The Kremlin has said the idea of creating a demilitarised Ukraine like Austria could be seen as a compromise to bring about the end of the war.

"This is a variant that is currently being discussed and which could really be seen as a compromise," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the Russian state-owned RIA news agency.

The terms of the demilitarisation Russia would expect are not yet clear, but it appears to be suggested that Ukraine would have to maintain neutral status.
The country would still have its own armed forces.

Austria has its own military but is bound to neutrality by the 1955 Austrian State Treaty and its constitution, which prohibits entry into military alliances and the establishment of foreign military bases on Austrian territory.

Under a similar arrangement, it is likely Ukraine would be unable to join NATO.

Ukraine was promised by NATO as far back as 2008 that it would one day become a member of the alliance.

Russia has said it cannot allow that to happen, and cited it as part of the reason for its invasion.

The Kremlin statement comes after a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said talks with Russia have been "very difficult" but there is "definitely room for compromise".

GY