Latest news with #MariaZakharova
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ISW: Low-level delegation indicates that Russia is not interested in sincere negotiations
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted that Russia's decision to send a low-level delegation to a new round of peace talks in Istanbul indicates that the Russian Federation is not interested in sincere negotiations. Source: ISW Quote: "Russian officials continue to signal the Kremlin's uncompromising position ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul on 2 June, suggesting that the upcoming Istanbul meeting is very unlikely to yield substantive results in support of an enduring peace in Ukraine." Details: Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said during a meeting of the UN Security Council on 30 May that Russia was ready to fight Ukraine for as long as necessary and that Ukraine could either accept peace, presumably on Russia's terms, or face inevitable defeat on the battlefield. Nebenzya also said that the United States had recently opened its eyes to the root causes of the Russo-Ukrainian war and repeated Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's demands that the West stop arming Ukraine and cease efforts to build up forces as preconditions for a ceasefire. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on 29 May that the Russian delegation to the proposed bilateral talks in Istanbul on 2 June would be the same as the Russian delegation to the previous talks held in Istanbul on 15 and 16 May. Quote: "Russian officials' decision to reiterate long-standing demands and send the same low-level delegation to the next Istanbul meeting indicates that Russia remains disinterested in engaging in good-faith negotiations. ISW continues to assess that Russia remains dedicated to protracting peace negotiations to support continued offensive operations in Ukraine and extract additional concessions from Ukraine and the West." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Russia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
Moscow questions Macron's commitment to Ukraine peace
French President Emmanuel Macron's statements in support of the Ukraine peace process are not credible, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. In a Telegram post on Friday, Zakharova cited a recent France Info article about a Ukrainian intelligence unit known as the 'International Revenge' tactical group, where foreign fighters, including French nationals, are training for frontline operations. French citizens 'were taken aback by a blunt publication' that the country's soldiers are already 'serving the Kiev regime,' Zakharova wrote. According to the report, the unit includes both civilians and military personnel from France. Some told the outlet they had already been deployed to the front. Zakharova pointed to what she described as the unit's neo-Nazi ideology, saying that its name was no coincidence. 'The group's symbols bear all the hallmarks of neo-Nazi revanchism,' she wrote, citing skull insignias, dark imagery, and the Latin slogan 'Memento Audere Semper' ('Remember to dare always'). The motto is known to have been used by Italian fascist and Mussolini ally Gabriele D'Annunzio in reference to the MAS, or 'Motoscafo Armato Silurante' – a class of fast torpedo boats used by the Italian Royal Navy in both World Wars. 'These French revanchist neo-fascists are not even hiding,' Zakharova added. 'They openly talk about coming from France to fight Russians 'without sparing bullets' and say they hope to one day face Russia in battle.' Zakharova said the revelations cast doubt on Macron's talk of commitment to the peace process. France has provided more than €3.7 billion ($4.1 billion) in military aid to Ukraine since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, according to the Kiel Institute. Macron has advocated deploying French troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal between Kiev and Moscow, arguing that it could help deter Russia. In March, he announced a French-British plan to prepare such a 'reassurance force' in the event of a ceasefire. The announcement sparked protests in Paris against what demonstrators called NATO's militaristic stance. Moscow has repeatedly warned it will not accept any NATO presence in Ukraine, citing the military bloc's expansion in Europe as a core reason for the conflict. Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul on May 16 for their first formal talks since 2022. The meeting led to the largest prisoner exchange to date and an agreement to draft written proposals ahead of the next round of talks, which Russia proposed for June 2.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
Putin open to talks with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to holding high-level direct talks with Kiev on resolving the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday. However, the Russian leader insists that first, results must be achieved in the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Peskov explained. He announced that Russia's team of negotiators is already heading to Istanbul to prepare for the next round of direct talks with Kiev, which is expected to be held on Monday, June 2. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has also confirmed that the Russian team will be in the Turkish city to present the Ukrainian side with Moscow's draft memorandum outlining a path towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict, as well as other ceasefire proposals. She noted that the talks are expected to be bilateral and stressed that there are no discussions about Türkiye or any other countries mediating the negotiations. Zakharova also acknowledged that Moscow has heard US presidential envoy Keith Kellogg's statements to the effect that representatives from Washington, London, Paris, and Berlin would be present in Istanbul on June 2. However, she stated that Moscow 'does not see any connection' between their arrival and the Russia-Ukraine talks.
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Zakharova: No changes to Russian delegation for June 2 negotiations with Ukraine
Moscow - Saba: Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the composition of the Russian delegation for the upcoming negotiations with Ukraine on June 2 will remain unchanged. In response to a question about the delegation's makeup during an interview with Russia 1 on Thursday, Zakharova said, "The Russian delegation's composition remains the same, without changes." The first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul on May 16, following an invitation by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 11 to resume negotiations. Kyiv agreed to participate in the meeting after U.S. President Donald Trump urged immediate acceptance of Putin's proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously conditioned negotiations with Moscow on a 30-day ceasefire. As a result of the meeting, the two sides agreed to a prisoner exchange under a "1,000 for 1,000" formula, detailed discussions on a potential ceasefire, and the continuation of negotiations. The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, expressed satisfaction with the meeting's outcomes. Representing Russia in the May 16 talks were: - Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the head of state; - Mikhail Galuzin, deputy foreign minister; - Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU); and - Alexander Fomin, deputy defense minister. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Russia Today
4 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
Moscow reveals Russian team for next Ukraine peace talks
Moscow's negotiation team will not undergo any changes for the next round of direct talks with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has revealed. The Russian delegation will once again be led by presidential aid, Vladimir Medinsky. Representatives of Moscow and Kiev met in Istanbul, Türkiye on May 16, marking the first direct negotiations between the sides since 2022. The two belligerents agreed to the largest prisoner swap since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, releasing 1,000 individuals each. Both also committed to drafting memorandums outlining their respective visions for a ceasefire ahead of a new talks round. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed holding the next round of talks in Istanbul next Monday, June 2.
