russia again blocks negotiations, shifting the responsibility
Amid talks between the Presidents of Ukraine and the U.S. in Washington and at the UN General Assembly, russia is again trying to shift responsibility for the lack of progress onto Ukraine.
▫ putin’s press secretary dmitry peskov reiterated that a meeting between Ukraine and russia at the leadership level is “doomed to fail without preparation.” At the same time, peskov, despite contradicting his initial statement, insisted on an entirely unacceptable proposal to hold the leaders’ meeting in moscow, rejecting neutral venues.
With these statements, putin’s spokesperson essentially confirmed that russia refuses such a meeting and continuation of peace talks, while trying to shift responsibility onto Ukraine. At the same time, peskov again threatened that “frontline dynamics” would worsen if Ukraine does not comply with kremlin ultimatums. He also acknowledged russia’s true goals, stating: “What is happening around russia is a war, and it must be won.”
Despite the obvious fact that russia does not want the war to end and refuses substantive talks, the kremlin continues to simulate a desire for peace and readiness for negotiations.
