Russia says Ukraine presented ‘unacceptable’ draft peace deal

(Reuters) -Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Thursday that Ukraine had offered Moscow with a draft peace deal containing “unacceptable” components at variance with a earlier settlement, feedback that Kyiv dismissed as “pure propaganda”.

The Kremlin has stated talks with Ukraine should not progressing as quickly as it could like, and has accused the West of making an attempt to derail negotiations by elevating struggle crimes allegations towards Russian troops in Ukraine, which Moscow denies.

Lavrov stated on Thursday that Ukraine had offered a draft settlement on Wednesday that deviated from proposals either side’ negotiators had agreed on.

Ukraine’s new draft, in line with Lavrov, stated the standing of Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, ought to be raised at a gathering between the 2 international locations’ presidents.

It additionally stated Ukraine may maintain army drills with overseas international locations with out receiving Russia’s permission, one thing Moscow disagrees with.

“Such lack of ability to agree as soon as once more highlights Kyiv’s true intentions, its place of drawing out and even undermining the talks by transferring away from the understandings reached,” Lavrov stated, including that the proposals have been “unacceptable”.

Kyiv says it’s dedicated to the talks however will not be keen to surrender its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak, one in all Ukraine’s negotiators, stated Lavrov’s feedback ought to be seen as a tactic to undermine Ukraine or divert consideration from struggle crime accusations towards Russian troops.

“To make any adjustments to our place to weaken it could be pointless,” he stated in written feedback to Reuters.

“Mr Lavrov will not be straight associated to the negotiation course of, and so his statements are pure propaganda.”

Russia despatched tens of hundreds of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it known as a particular operation to degrade its southern neighbour’s army capabilities and root out individuals it known as harmful nationalists.

Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions in an effort to pressure Russia to withdraw its forces.

Lavrov stated Russia was now eager to proceed with the talks and safe its personal calls for.

“Regardless of all of the provocations, the Russian delegation will proceed with the negotiation course of, urgent for our personal draft settlement that clearly and absolutely outlines our preliminary and key positions and necessities,” he stated.

(Reporting by Reuters; Enhancing by Kevin Liffey and Jonathan Oatis)