Ukraine War: Few Prospects for Peace Talks, More Deaths in Eastern Cities
Ukraine War: Few Prospects for Peace Talks, More Deaths in Eastern Cities
Rumors from both Kyiv and Moscow are not promising as Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine continue.
Kyiv, Ukraine – Both Ukraine and Russia said direct talks to end the conflict could only take place under certain conditions, with fighting continuing Friday in eastern Ukraine.
The House of Culture in Derhachi, near Kharkiv, was hit by a Russian bomb. ©REUTERS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with an Italian broadcaster that he was ready to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, “but only with him, without an intermediary and only on the condition of a dialogue instead of an ultimatum “.
The Ukrainian public would not currently view such a summit in a positive light, Zelensky added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s position on Friday that a meeting between the two leaders could not take place until there was some kind of prior written agreement between Moscow and kyiv.
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“Without these preparatory measures, it is hardly possible to hold such a meeting,” he said, according to the Interfax news agency, before confirming that there had been no progress in the negotiations. of peace between the two countries.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, since then the United Nations has recorded more than 3,500 civilian deaths, although most observers believe the death toll is much higher.
An interior view of the ruined House of Culture in Derhachi. ©REUTERS
In Kharkiv region, eastern Ukraine, local authorities said three people died after a projectile hit a hall in the village of Shebelynka in Izyum region on Thursday. Two civilians were also killed in Derhachi after the town’s House of Culture was hit by a bomb.
In nearby Luhansk, two people died after Russian shelling, the governor’s office said, adding that nearly 60 homes were also destroyed.
Earlier on Friday, the Kremlin reacted critically to Ukraine’s plans to join the European Union, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov describing Ukraine’s intention to join the bloc as “extremely unlikely” to be harmless, according to Interfax.
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Ukraine formally applied for EU membership soon after the Russian invasion began on February 24.
While Lavrov admitted that Ukraine’s membership was essentially a matter between Kyiv and Brussels, he still accused the EU of having transformed itself “from a constructive economic platform…into a aggressive militant actor” who, according to him, had ambitions far beyond Europe.