Russia, Ukraine ready for new talks on war

Moscow: Russian and Ukrainian officials say they are standing by to resume talks about their war, though the time and place for negotiations was unknown and hopes for a breakthrough remain low.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday that “in the second half of the day, closer to evening, our delegation will be in place to await Ukrainian negotiators.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Ukrainian officials are ready for new talks but said the venue is undecided and Kyiv won’t accept any Russian ultimatums.

Kuleba said: “Russia’s demands remain the same as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin announced in his address before the war started.” Peskov said Putin’s culture adviser Vladimir Medinsky remains the main negotiator for Russia. The first round of talks on resolving the Russia-Ukraine war were held near the Belarus-Ukraine border last Sunday. —AP