In the struggle for a negotiated solution to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, both sides made cautiously optimistic statements. “If we compare the positions of the two delegations today with those at the beginning, we will see clear progress,” Russian foreign politician Leonid Slutsky said on state television on Sunday. He is part of the delegation that has been negotiating with Ukraine for two weeks, but so far without progress.
According to Slutzki, both parties could agree on a common position “in the next few days” and sign it in the corresponding documents.
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Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak also expected “concrete results in a few days.” In a video posted on Twitter, he said that Russia is not giving ultimatums in the negotiations, but is listening to Ukraine’s proposals.
In the evening, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the talks planned in online format for this Monday. As before, the Russian delegation should be headed by former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky, Peskov said, according to the state agency Tass. Moscow is demanding that Kiev recognize the annexed Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as Russian and breakaway areas in eastern Ukraine as independent “people’s republics.” Ukraine rejects it.
Kiev will not give up any of its positions, Podoliak said. According to him, Ukraine demands the end of the war and the withdrawal of Russian troops. “There is a dialogue,” Podoliak said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on state television on Sunday. “But we have to understand what the outcome of this meeting is supposed to be and what will be discussed there.” The conditions for direct talks at the highest level will be discussed at the meetings of the delegations. (dop)
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