Talks with Ukraine "make no sense" until Kyiv withdraws troops from Donbas – Kremlin
The Kremlin claims that trilateral US-Ukraine-Russia talks are "impractical" because Kyiv is not withdrawing its troops from the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Donetsk region.
Yury Ushakov, an aide to the Russian dictator, said this, as quoted by Russia’s Interfax, Censor.NET reports.
Russia’s ultimatum
The Kremlin has again demanded that Ukraine leave the Donetsk region.
"Everyone understands, including, I would say, the Ukrainian negotiators, that Kyiv now needs to take just one serious step, after which, first, hostilities will be suspended and, second, the way will open for a serious discussion of the prospects for a further long-term settlement," he said.
Ushakov added that "trying to convince each other is largely a waste of time, because this step is now expected from Kyiv, including from Zelenskyy."
Background
- As a reminder, the last round of trilateral talks between Ukraine and Russia involving US representatives took place in February. Since then, Ukrainian and Russian representatives have held only separate talks with the US team.
- Earlier, President Zelenskyy said Russia was demanding that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Kyiv-controlled territory of Donbas within two months.
