The lead negotiator in peace talks between Russia-Ukraine stated on Sunday that Moscow is willing to continue negotiations, but Kyiv has to make the first step, as per local media reports.
As per Vladimir Medinsky, “For our part, we are ready to continue the dialogue. But I will mention once again: the ball for the continuation of peace talks is in Ukraine’s court. Freezing the talks is entirely Ukraine’s initiative.”
He mentioned that, “Russia has never declined negotiations, including at the highest level. Russian President Vladimir Putin has again confirmed this. The only question is that for a summit meeting to take place between the presidents, serious preparations are required.”
Talks between the delegations of Russia as well as Ukraine have been held continuous since Moscow’s forces called for full-scale military operation against Ukraine on February 24.
Ukraine’s lead negotiator Mykhaylo Podolyak on Thursday mentioned that, “Do not offer us a ceasefire – this is impossible without total Russian military withdrawal. Ukraine is not interested in the new ‘Minsk’ & the war renewal in a few years. Until Russia is ready to liberate occupied territories fully, our negotiating team is weapons, sanctions and money.”