Russia-Ukraine War: Both sides point at peace talks hitting deadlock as conflict escalates

Amid ongoing brutal war in Eastern Europe, officials of Russia and Ukraine stated that peace negotiations between both countries have stalled. Ukraine has been accused of hardening its stance by Russian government as country's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated that Kyiv has effectively abandoned peace talks. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov claimed that Western countries seek to exploit Ukraine for ir strategic benefit. He contended that peace accord can be reached if negotiators focus on West's concerns rar than current situation in Ukraine. 

"We always say that we are rey for negotiations ... but we were given or choice," Lavrov said, DW news reported. However, Ukrainian officials have blamed Russia for stagnation of peace negotiations amid ongoing war. Ukrainian presidential visor Mykhailo Podolyak stated that talks have been put on hold as "Russia refuses to mit that it would t achieve any objectives."  "Russia does t demonstrate a key understanding of today's processes in world. And its extremely negative role," Podolyak was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media. 

Resolution of Ukraine's situation would le to de-escalation of military-political tensions: Lavrov

tably, in late April, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Lavrov asserted that delegations of both countries are debating draft of a possible treaty via videoconferencing daily. In an interview with Xinhua, Lavrov hoped that document should include Ukraine's permanent neutrality, n-nuclear, n-bloc, demilitarised status as well as security guarantees. Russian minister h furr outlined that resolution of Ukrainian situation will enable a significant contribution to de-escalation of military-political tensions in Europe.

Zelenskyy extends offer to hold direct talks with Putin

It is pertinent to mention here that delegations of both countries have alrey held several rounds of peace negotiations since outset of war, but y have failed to yield desired results so far. Earlier on May 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that he is rey to hold peace talks with his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin in coming weeks. In a statement, embattled President Zelenskyy once again extended offer to hold direct talks with Putin to find a solution to ongoing crisis. 

Im: AP