Top Russian and Ukrainian diplomats – Sergey Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba, respectively – met for the first time since the start of the war, on Thursday morning (10), in southern Turkey.
In a statement to the press after the meeting, the Ukrainian foreign minister said there had been no progress in the discussion for a 24-hour ceasefire to “solve the most urgent humanitarian issues”.
Kuleba claimed the advance was impeded because there are “other decision-makers at that point” on the Russian side.
He added that he had the impression that Russia would continue its offensive in search of a surrender from Kiev, “which it will not get”. “Lavrov has a different impression of what foreign ministers do in a crisis,” he added.
He further stated that the most difficult situation in humanitarian terms takes place in the port city of Mariupol. Kuleba said the Russian chancellor has not committed to the humanitarian corridor in this city.
Ukrainians will continue to make efforts to find a humanitarian solution there, according to the minister. “I am willing to meet again in this format if there are prospects for a substantial solution,” he concluded.
“We want a neutral Ukraine”
Shortly after Kuleba’s speech ended, Russian Chancellor Sergey Lavrov also spoke. “We are in favor of any and all contacts on the issues of the current crisis in Ukraine,” said Lavrov.
However, the Russian minister stressed that these contacts “should not be used by the Ukrainians” to replace the negotiations that have been taking place between diplomatic delegations in Belarus.
“We want to continue a serious conversation on this Belarusian platform. Even without exchanging formal roles, but to agree on some points”, he declared.
He pointed out that the Russians made concrete proposals at the last meeting, on Monday (7), and are awaiting a return from Kiev.
Lavrov also reported that he discussed “a lot about humanitarian issues and we explained what measures are being taken by our military on the spot to facilitate the fate of civilians who are held hostage by so-called volunteer battalions.”
Questioned by journalists, Lavrov again questioned the rapprochement between Ukraine and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). “We don’t want Ukraine to militarize, we want Ukraine to be neutral,” he said.
The Russian chancellor also added that President Vladimir Putin would not be against a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnky, but said that would only happen to discuss specific issues.
“Until the end, we want to resolve the situation in Ukraine through diplomatic means,” he said.
* With information from Reuters
Source: CNN Brasil
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