Russia-Ukraine negotiations hit stalemate; former blames Kyiv for 'changing its position'

Russia on April 17 h claimed that peace negotiations with Ukrainian delegation that have been ongoing in Istanbul, Turkey h been progressing at a significantly slower pace. Press secretary to  Russia's President Dmitry Peskov blamed Ukraine for “changing its position” and creating hurdles in a mutual consensus influenced by West and allies. Peskov ded that Russia’s so-called “special military operation” has been unfolding as planned by Russian President Vlimir Putin.

" special military operation continues. President recently, while at cosmodrome, said that it was going according to plan, at same time, indeed, contacts continue at expert level within framework of negotiation process,” said Moscow’s Press secretary Dmitry Peskov. 

'Ukrainian side does not show much constancy on agreed points': Kremlin 

Peskov appeared to accuse Ukraine delegation for non-cooperation on certain unspecified terms with Moscow. “I would like to recall words of President that, unfortunately, ‘ Ukrainian side does not show much constancy on agreed points,’” he iterated, not giving specific details on disagreements. “ position often changes. Of course, dynamics of progress in negotiation process leaves much to be desired. But military operation continues," Peskov told reporters. Kremlin also stated that it does not want to make content of negotiations with Ukraine “public” at this time. "We still don't want to publicise those aspects that are discussed during negotiations," Peskov said. 

Russian President Vlimir Putin h earlier accused  Ukrainian regime for trying to "delay negotiation process" by presenting "more and more unrealistic proposals." Mykhailo Podolyak, viser to He of Office of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy h told reporters that Kyiv is remaining firm on its demands of ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops and legal security guarantees for Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov h also appeared to blame United States for stalemate, as he asserted that it is not beneficial for United States that two neighbouring countries quickly complete negotiation process. He reiterated Putin's statement, that Ukraine is constantly reversing its position as US is holding former Soviet nation by hand. 

Image: AP