Russia: Ukraine constantly changing position on agreed issues at peace talks

Russia says Ukraine is not consistent in its stance on peace talks, accusing Kiev of constantly changing position on the already agreed issues.

“Contacts continue at an expert level within the framework of the negotiation process,” the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a conference call on Monday. “Unfortunately the Ukrainian side is not consistent in terms of the points that have been agreed.”

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough to abate the conflict on the ground. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” on February 24 to demilitarize Donetsk and Luhansk, largely populated by ethnic Russians, in eastern Ukraine. The United States and its European allies have labeled the military operation “Putin’s land grab,” imposing waves of unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.

Kiev “is often changing its position and the trend of the negotiating process leaves much to be desired,” Peskov added.

The Kremlin says it will halt its military activities instantly if Kiev meets Russia’s list of demands, including never applying to join NATO. Washington justifies NATO’s enlargement as a move in response to Russia’s operation.

Turkey, a NATO member with close ties to both Moscow and Kiev, hosted and mediated peace talks between high-ranking Russian and Ukrainian negotiators late last month. Turkey is also the only country that had managed to bring together the warring sides and has been encouraging both sides to continue negotiations.

MG