LAST UPDATE: 16:26
Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviser Mikhail Pontoliak said Sunday that he believed progress could be made in talks with Russia in the coming days, as the Russian side “has become more constructive,” Reuters reported.
“We will not back down in the first place. Russia understands this now. Russia has already started talking constructively. I think we will achieve some results in literally a few days,” he said in a video posted on the internet.
Pontoliak said earlier today that Ukraine was cooperating with Israel and Turkey as mediators to finalize the place and framework of peace talks with Russia. “Once this is done, there will be a meeting. I think it will not be long before we get there,” he told national television.
A Russian negotiator also said today that significant progress had been made and that it was likely that the delegations would soon reach a “common position”.
The RIA news agency reported that Leonid Slutsky compared the state of the talks now to the situation that prevailed when they began and said that there was “substantial progress”.
“According to my expectations, this progress can be developed in the coming days in a common position of the two delegations and in documents to be signed,” Slutsky said. Neither side has indicated what the scope of any agreement could be.
Statements by the US Deputy Secretary of State
Russia is showing signs of willingness to engage in substantive talks on Ukraine, even if Moscow currently intends to “destroy” its neighbor, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said on Sunday.
In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Sherman said the United States was putting “tremendous pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in the weeks-long invasion of Ukraine and to allow the creation of humanitarian corridors that will allow civilians to escape.
“This pressure is starting to work. We are seeing some signs of real, serious negotiations. But I have to say so far it seems that Vladimir Putin intends to destroy Ukraine,” Sherman said.
Following the Russian attack on a military base near the Polish border, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said he did not believe a NATO no-fly zone over Ukraine would have prevented it.
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
