The risk of Russia-Ukraine peace talks breaking down

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses Russian and Ukrainian negotiators ahead of their face-to-face talks in Istanbul, Turkey March 29 reuters

According to Reuters, the meetings peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia is in danger of collapse.

Addressing Polish journalists on April 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed pessimism at the prospect of continuing negotiations with Russia. President Zelensky also said that Ukrainians are angry because of Russia’s actions.

“The risk that negotiations will have to be closed is very high because the Russians have given the Ukrainian people the impression that Moscow has a murder plan,” Zelenskiy told Polish journalists.

On the same day, April 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also blamed Ukraine for stalled negotiations.

“We have trouble because of their inconsistency, because they always want to play tricks and I guess because Washington, London and the West have issued directives asking them not to speed up the negotiation process.” , Mr. Lavrov answered a question from Al Arabiya Radio.

The Russian foreign minister also said that Ukraine will receive security guarantees from the United Nations Security Council if it is “honest” in the negotiations.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency published on April 30, Lavrov continued to say that Russia supports deeper negotiations with Ukraine. However, this effort is being hindered by Western agitation.

The Russian foreign minister also said Western nations instigated Kyiv “to fight to the last Ukrainian” by shipping weapons and obstructing negotiations.

“I believe that agreements can be reached only when Kyiv begins to act in the interests of the Ukrainian people, and not of ‘remote advisers’,” Lavrov added.

Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the Russian and Ukrainian delegations were continuing to negotiate daily by video call and that the lifting of sanctions against Russia was part of this process. Lavrov stated that an agreement in Ukraine would greatly contribute to the de-escalation of tensions not only in Europe, but throughout the world. world.

The last time the delegation of Russia and Ukraine face-to-face dialogue is on March 29. Tensions were high after Ukraine accused Russian troops of killing civilians while withdrawing from areas around Kyiv. Moscow denies these allegations and accuses Ukraine of staging the scene to derail peace talks and prompt the West to impose more sanctions on Moscow.

Both the US and UK voiced support for Ukraine in the negotiations but said it was important to continue arming Kyiv.