Russia is ‘open to negotiations’ with Ukraine, Moscow claims

The Kremlin has mentioned it is open to negotiations with Ukraine to deliver an finish to Russia’s ongoing conflict of aggression in opposition to its neighbour however says it wants clarification on “how prepared Kyiv is” to take part in peace talks.

“Russia as an entire is open to the negotiation course of, however first we have to perceive how prepared Ukraine, the Ukrainian aspect, is for this, and the way a lot the Ukrainian aspect has, for example, permission from its curators, as a result of thus far you see, very very completely different statements are being made, and it isn’t solely clear but”, Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for Russian President Vladimir Putin, mentioned.

“Along with the final downside with Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, there may be additionally an issue, in truth, with a de facto legislative ban on any contacts and negotiations with the Russian aspect,” he added.

Within the run-up to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin and different distinguished Russian politicians have made a number of claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a “puppet of the West”, alleging that each one choices had been being made in Washington or Brussels and never in Kyiv.

Russian authorities and state-owned media have additionally repeatedly tried to delegitimise the Ukrainian chief, lobbing a sequence of allegations in opposition to Zelenskyy, equivalent to him being a “Nazi” or a “drug person”.

No proof was ever supplied for any of the claims. Moreover, not one of the allegations have been confirmed true or independently confirmed.

The authorities in Kyiv have repeatedly said that the one acceptable peace supply would come with an entire withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied areas, together with Crimea, which Moscow unilaterally annexed in 2014.

Ukraine seeks ‘widespread floor’ with China

In the meantime, Ukraine’s Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned he’s in search of “widespread floor” in talks along with his Chinese language counterpart about ending his nation’s conflict with Russia.

Kuleba met with Chinese language Overseas Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou on Wednesday. It is his first go to to the nation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“I’m satisfied {that a} simply peace in Ukraine is in China’s strategic pursuits, and China’s position as a world power for peace is essential,” Kuleba mentioned in opening remarks.

He additionally restated Ukraine’s place that it is able to interact with Russia in negotiations supplied that the Kremlin is keen to barter in good religion, one thing he says he has not noticed on the Russian aspect.

Zelenskyy echoed Kuleba’s phrases on Chinese language relations, saying in a video assertion, “There’s a clear sign that China helps Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Zelenskyy additionally mentioned it has been “confirmed” that “China is not going to provide weapons to Russia”.

Russian strikes proceed in Ukraine

It comes as Moscow continues its offensive in Ukraine, with the Russian Ministry of Defence releasing footage it says exhibits its artillery hitting Ukrainian military positions within the zone of so-called ‘particular army operation’.

The footage additionally exhibits the crews of Ka-52 helicopters placing the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In the meantime, Ukraine’s Air Drive claims to shot down 25 out of 38 Russian ‘Shahed’ drones in one of many largest in a single day drone strikes launched by Russia.

It mentioned the drones had been attacking Ukrainian infrastructure south of the Odesa area and in Ukraine’s central areas.

Regional authorities have reported on Telegram that Russian assaults throughout Ukraine have killed not less than 4 civilians and injured 30 prior to now day.