Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned 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 mentioned talks with Ukraine should not progressing as quickly as it might like, and has accused the West of attempting to derail negotiations by elevating struggle crimes allegations towards Russian troops in Ukraine, which Moscow denies.
Lavrov mentioned 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 accordance with Lavrov, mentioned the standing of Crimea, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014, ought to be raised at a gathering between the 2 international locations' presidents.
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It additionally mentioned Ukraine may maintain army drills with international international locations with out receiving Russia's permission, one thing Moscow disagrees with.
"Such incapacity 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 mentioned, including that the proposals had been "unacceptable."
Kyiv says it's dedicated to the talks however just isn't prepared to surrender its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak, certainly one of Ukraine's negotiators, mentioned 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 modifications to our place to weaken it might be pointless," he mentioned in written feedback to Reuters.
"Mr Lavrov just isn't immediately associated to the negotiation course of, and so his statements are pure propaganda."
Russia despatched tens of 1000's of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it referred to as a particular operation to degrade its southern neighbor's army capabilities and root out folks it referred to as harmful nationalists.
Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has imposed sweeping sanctions in an effort to drive Russia to withdraw its forces.
Lavrov mentioned 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 mentioned.
(Reporting by Reuters; Enhancing by Kevin Liffey and Jonathan Oatis)
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