Is a Peace Deal Near? Ukraine Won't Join NATO in Return for Russian Withdrawal, Security Guarantees

This clip is from the March 30, 2022 broadcast.

The United Nations says more than 4 million refugees have now fled Ukraine as Russia's invasion nears its sixth week. Russia announced plans Tuesday to "fundamentally" cut back military operations near Kyiv and the city of Chernihiv, but Ukrainian officials say Russian forces continue to carry out strikes in or near both cities. Meanwhile, the outlines of a possible peace deal have emerged in talks between the two sides, with Ukraine offering to become a neutral country and remain nuclear-free in exchange for security guarantees. But Ukrainian officials stress a deal can only be reached once Russia withdraws its forces from the country.

For more, "Democracy Now!" goes to Kyiv to speak with Peter Zalmayev, director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, who says Ukrainians remain "very skeptical" of the Russian president's intentions. "Ukrainians are very much ready to negotiate, but the question is if Vladimir Putin continues to cling to his obsession to try to control all of Ukraine and control its politics and to install a puppet regime."