Russian and Ukrainian negotiators held discussions on Friday, the head of Moscow’s delegation said, but Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said diplomatic efforts to end the war remained stalled.
Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed a TASS news report that “several long conversations” had been held but he gave no details. Earlier this week the Kremlin said Russia had submitted a new written proposal, but Ukrainian President Zelensky said he had neither seen nor heard about it.
In separate comments, Lavrov said the talks “have now stalled because our latest proposal that was handed to the Ukrainian negotiators some five days ago” remains unanswered.
President Putin told European Council President Charles Michel in a phone call earlier that Kyiv was showing it was not ready to seek mutually acceptable solutions and he accused Ukrainian side of being “inconsistent” in talks.
Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres plans to meet Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to make a face-to-face plea for peace in Ukraine. Guterres may also visit Kyiv.