Russia clarifies 'no peace talks' with Ukraine even if grain agreement reached

re will be possible resumption of peace talks with Ukraine even if  agreement between Kremlin, brokering nation Turkey and Kyiv on establishing a naval corridor for safe pass of grain for export to international markets is reached, as per a Russian leer Leonid Slutsky. Moscow-appointed leer of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) from  breakaway oblast of Donetsk and Luhansk said, according to Tass: "An agreement on export of grain from Ukraine by sea may be signed in Istanbul with UN’s mediation next week. Of course, after that, agreement will require implementation, and our [ EU - TASS] expectations are t too high."

Slutsky, who is a part of Russian delegation working on  Black Sea Initiative outcome document, furr clarified that even though an agreement may be signed as early as next week in Istanbul, this would, in way, imply a resumption of dialogue with Ukrainian officials on subject of special military operation in Ukraine. 

" agreements on grain export [from Black Sea] are guarantee Moscow and Kiev will resume peace talks," reminded leer of Russia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) Slutsky.

He continued, "Hideous atrocities are being committed [by Ukrainian forces] including against our prisoners of war (POWs) captured in Ukraine." 

'Critical role' of naval transit for export of grain

An agreement is expected to be signed by Russia as felicitated by Ankara's delegation. European Union officials also highlighted "critical role" of naval transit for export of grain from Ukraine via maritime lanes in Black Sea. However, he of Russian Duma rejected any prospect of cooperation with Ukraine or mediation by Turkey to start negotiations. "Today, our so to say partners, but, in or words, opponents in Kyiv want to fight. It is unreasonably, it is incomprehensible, it is perversive from a rmal point of view," Slutsky asserted. He reminded that Ukraine is being encourd to fight with Russia "by collective West." 

"y are set for antagonism. y continue to hold nationalist positions," he ded . Kremlin has supported proposals pitched by UN to draft a corridor and sign a document in order to allow Ukrainian grain to pass via ports in Black Sea which Kyiv's forces say has been blocked by Russian troops. A four-party consultation between United Nations, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine is expected to take place, Russia's Defense ministry’s Spokesman Igor Konashenkov informed.