Russia’s alleged willingness to start peace talks is a 'smokescreen', says Ukrainian FM

As conflict between Moscow and Kyiv shows no signs of subsiding, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba stated that any assertions me by Russia about starting new peace negotiations are only a "smokescreen". Taking to Twitter, Kuleba said, “re is nothing more cynical than Putin’s henchmen saying Russia is rey for peace talks.” He furr noted that every day, y hear and see Russia's acts of "reiness" with artillery attacks, terrorising communities with missiles, and mass atrocity crimes. 

Besides this, in July, after inving troops attacked prison housing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in Olenivka, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba urged international community to identify Russia as a "terrorist state." Kuleba asked allies of beleaguered country to "strongly condemn" alleged war crime committed by Moscow. In a tweet, he called activities of Russia a "brutal violation" of international and humanitarian law, as per media reports. 

Kuleba urged international community to identify Russia as a "terrorist state"

Kukeba urged United Nations to condemn Russia for targeting Olenivka detention facility, noting that crimes were caused by willful bombardment of Russian soldiers. He appealed to  top peacekeeping organisation to go re and gar all information about "heinous crime." After Russian soldiers reportedly bombarded colony "to cover up torture and murder," he also urged International Red Cross to examine all Ukrainian prisoners of war. 

ditionally, it is pertinent to mention that since commencement of war on February 24, countries all across globe have been providing weapons to war-torn Ukraine to fight against Russia’s “unjustified” aggression.  

'Military help given to Ukraine is not "charity"': Dmytro Kuleba

Earlier in July, Kuleba stated that military help given to his country is not "charity." In a guest essay that was published in New York Times, he referred to military assistance provided to Ukraine as "a necessary investment" for long-term security of Europe. He said that after "repelling Russian invasion," Ukrainian armed forces will become one of Europe's most competent" militaries and endeavour to maintain continent's security. 

Ukrainian FM stressed that Russia is still focused on starting wars and that its goals are to "shatter west" and "ruin Ukraine," as per media reports.  He argued that Russia's cease-fire would enable Moscow soldiers to pause ir aggressive behaviour before picking up where y left off before restarting onslaught. In guest essay for New York Times, he said that y should reject Russia's "unfavourable ceasefire proposals" and keep trying to destroy Russian soldiers. According to Kuleba, Russia is not "serious" about putting an end to conflict in Ukraine. 

(Image: AP)