Comparison of two speeches: Zelensky making his case and proposing the "U-24", in essence a G-20 but of the democracies, committed to taking action. Putin doubling down and essentially taking Russia out of the Western system towards civilizational isolation. 1/
Can we reconcile these speeches with the draft proposals for compromises to end the fighting? Zelensky's U-24 does not necessarily require Ukraine in NATO and could be compatible with some versions of neutrality. A neutral status that allows for "association" with NATO. 2/
Putin's speech, at first read, doesn't sound like any acceptance of compromise. It did acknowledge neutrality on the agenda, but otherwise was a call to stand fast and accept suffering for the sake of Russian "survival." 3/
Important to note: Putin believes Soviets/Russians gave everyone a soft landing at end of Cold War; they could have extracted a much higher cost--and got nothing in return. This has been theme of Putin speeches as of late. 4/
Zelensky in other remarks has been laying groundwork for accepting compromises; so far, not hearing any equivalent in Putin's remarks. 5/
Adding this from @ABarbashin …
https://twitter.com/ABarbashin/status/1504186101715640322
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