Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are being delayed by the Ukrainian delegation, Russian President Vladimir Putin claims. The countries have been trying for weeks to find a solution to the war in Ukraine, but a breakthrough does not seem in sight yet.
According to Putin, the Ukrainian delegation has “changed something again”. Because Ukraine is said to be inconsistent on fundamental points, “they are creating difficulties in reaching a final agreement.” About the “military operation” in Ukraine, Putin said it would continue until there is a peace agreement.
Putin would also have said that the negotiations are at a dead end, according to state media. Ukraine has denied that. A presidential adviser says the talks are difficult but are continuing.
Putin made his statements after a visit to a launch site of the Russian space agency Roskosmos in eastern Russia. He told staff that a conflict with the West is inevitable and that Russia is too big to isolate itself from the rest of the world.
The president also met his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko. According to Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, Putin said Moscow will oppose attempts to isolate Russia and Belarus. Both countries have been subject to many sanctions because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For that reason, according to Putin, the two countries should cooperate more.
