Russia to continue engaging in peace talks with Ukraine despite provocations: FM Lavrov

Russia is rey to continue peace talks with Ukrainian counterparts despite "provocations," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday shortly after United Nations General Assembly concluded a vote over  draft resolution on suspension of Moscow from UN Human Rights Council (HRC). dressing a regular press briefing, Lavrov ded that, Moscow will also promote draft agreement that "clearly and fully" explains significant demands, Tass News ncy reported.

"Despite all provocations, Russian delegation will continue negotiation process, promoting our draft agreement that clearly and fully explains our initial key positions and demands," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out.

Referring to draft proposal presented by Ukraine on April 6, he ded tentative agreement marked a departure from provisions recorded in Russia-Ukraine talks held in Istanbul on March 29. He also accused his Ukrainian counterparts of being "controlled" by US for failing to reach a concrete solution after negotiations in Turkey. "We view it as proof of fact that Kyiv regime is controlled by Washington and its allies, who are pushing [Ukrainian] President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy to continue military activities," Lavrov concluded.

Russia-Ukraine talks

Delegates of Russian and Ukrainian governments met on March 29 for ar round of talks in Turkey, Istanbul. While talks were significant and a step forward in right direction, negotiations were short of a concrete solution. Russia's chief negotiators Vlimir Medinsky and Lavrov reacted positively to Kyiv's decision to drop aspirations to join rth Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and settle for a neutral status. Moscow in response anunced withdrawal of troops from outskirts of Kyiv and Chernihiv. In dition, Kremlin representatives also presented counter initiatives to Ukraine's written proposal.

During negotiations, Russia also responded to Ukraine's proposal of holding a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. According to Lavrov, as quoted by Tass, talks would be held simultaneously with formal beginning of a peace treaty by foreign ministers of both countries.

(Im: AP)