Diplomatic tensions between Russia and Ukraine deepened after both countries accused each other of blocking diplomacy and wanting to continue the war
Diplomatic tensions between Russia and Ukraine deepened after Russia accused the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy of blocking diplomacy and Ukraine accused the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin for wanting to continue the war.
Adding to the pressure, the President of the United States (U.S.) – Donald Trump, who has shown interest in striking a peace deal, has warned he would withdraw from efforts to broker peace if both sides fail to make progress soon.
The status of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 in a move condemned by the United Nations and most of the international community, remains one of the contentious issues. Zelenskyy reiterated earlier this week that recognising Crimea as part of Russia would violate Ukraine’s constitution, a position that has frustrated Russian officials and irked Trump.
Trump said that Crimea was lost years ago and is not even a point of discussion. In response, Kremlin Spokesperson – Dmitry Peskov welcomed Trump’s statement, saying it aligns with Russia’s longstanding view on the Peninsula. He said that Russia continues to work with the U.S. to achieve a peace settlement that ensures Moscow’s interests are considered. Besides, Crimea is home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and Russia has used the peninsula to launch missile and drone attacks on Ukraine during the war.
Another Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson – Maria Zakharova, further escalated rhetoric by accusing Zelenskyy of deliberately derailing high-level discussions held in London involving U.S., United Kingdom (U.K.), Ukraine and European Union (E.U.) Officials.
She said, “Yesterday Zelenskyy categorically refused to make any concessions and demonstratively expressed his desire to negotiate only a ceasefire – and even then on his own terms.”
Zakharova also said that the European countries supplying weapons to Kyiv are encouraging Zelenskyy to pursue the war, regardless of casualties, and that their attitude showed some European countries were frightened by the prospect of a Russian victory.
Ukraine said it wants just peace and that Russia is dragging out talks and trying to win time to grab more Ukrainian land in addition to the territory it already holds in Crimea and 4 Eastern Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine said it is committed to seeking a full and unconditional ceasefire. After talks with the U.S, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day truce last month, but Putin responded with a list of conditions and questions, saying such a pause would give Ukraine the chance to mobilise more soldiers and acquire more weapons.
