Ukraine Says It Is Ready for Direct Talks With Russia on Ceasefire
Ukraine said it is ready for direct talks with Russia on a lasting peace and a ceasefire along the contact line, while warning its patience is not unlimited.
Ukraine has declared its readiness for direct talks with Russia on a lasting and fair peace, provided there is a ceasefire along the line of contact. This was stated by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to the UN Andrey Melnik, Ukrinform reports.
According to Melnik, Kiev has already taken a step forward, but this initiative has so far received no response. He stressed that the Ukrainian side’s patience is not unlimited and warned that if the UN Security Council continues to take a wait-and-see position, the situation could change.
The permanent representative said Ukraine could reconsider its position. At the same time, he described a ceasefire along the line of contact as already a serious compromise on Kiev’s part.
Earlier, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Moscow expects to achieve its own goals in Ukraine, rather than merely see the implementation of agreements discussed during talks with the United States in Anchorage. According to Ushakov, Russia remains committed to the understandings discussed in Anchorage, but the other side apparently failed to fulfill its part of the agreements.