Ukrainian Side Delays Negotiations at US Dictation, Lavrov Says

The Ukrainian side is delaying negotiations at the dictation of the United States. This statement was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Al Jazeera, as reported by TASS.

He noted that Zelensky is fully informed about the negotiations that took place two days ago, and they will prepare for a new meeting after clarifying their position.

Kuleba also stated that Ukraine believes in diplomacy and is ready for a diplomatic resolution to the military conflict. “However, we will not go to negotiate if the Russian Federation plans to declare its ultimatums during the talks. Negotiations are negotiations, and we will discuss and seek solutions. However, we are not going to fulfill Russian ultimatums,” said the head of Ukraine's foreign affairs agency.

Additionally, the publication Glavkom, citing sources from Ukrainian diplomacy, reported on certain demands made by the Russian side during the first phase of negotiations with Ukraine. In particular, Moscow is demanding: Ukraine's non-alignment status to be established at the parliamentary level through a referendum; recognition of the self-proclaimed states of Donetsk and Luhansk by Ukraine; demilitarization; and abandonment of Crimea.