Ukrainian diplomat explained why Russia talks about peace amid constant air raids in Kyiv
Ukraine voiced Russia's true intentions at the OSCE (Photo:OSCE projects in Ukraine/Facebook)
Russian calls for peace negotiations are a "smokescreen" for further aggression, often followed by air-raids sirens in Kyiv, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to Vienna Yevhen Cymbalyuk said during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Nov. 10, according to Ukrainian state-owned news agency Ukrinform.
The Kremlin announced its willingness to negotiate with Ukraine on Nov. 9, amid the Russian withdrawal from Kherson Oblast.
“The same people who had been denying Russia's preparations for the invasion during the four prior to it, the same people who spread nonsense about "fighting mosquitoes" and "dirty bombs" in Ukraine, the same people now are trying to pretend they really want peace talk," Cymbalyuk said.
He also stressed that along with the calls for peace, air raids are often heard in Kyiv.
"We can know real Moscow's intentions by deeds, not by words,” he noted.
“Making this fuss about peace talks, Russia uses it as a "smokescreen" for further aggression. Ukraine's intention is to gain real and just peace for Europe and all the world. We want it and we can do it with our partners' support.”
On Oct. 4, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decision taken by the National Security and Defense Council to outlaw any negotiations with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The President's Office said that Kyiv would be ready for negotiations when the Russian leader changes.
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, said Ukrainian success in any possible negotiations with Russia depends on its combat achievements.
Zelenskyy also believes the dialog could be possible – under the condition of a complete Russian withdrawal from all occupied Ukrainian territories, and an admission that the full-scale invasion was "a terrible mistake".
Privately, the U.S. administration of President Joe Biden is said to have asked Kyiv to demonstrate their openness to negotiations.
On Nov. 7, Zelenskyy named 5 conditions that can make negotiation possible:
- regaining territorial integrity;
- compliance with the United Nations norms and rules;
- reparation for the damage caused by the war;
- punishment of every war criminal;
- peace guarantees.
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