**Ukraine’s President Questions Russia’s Commitment to Peace Talks**
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to making progress in peace talks. This comes after Moscow confirmed that it would be sending a team to talks in Istanbul on Monday.
Russia has yet to provide Ukraine with its negotiating proposals, which is a key demand by Kyiv. The Kremlin has said that its conditions for a ceasefire will be discussed in Turkey. However, Zelensky accused Russia of trying to ensure that the next meeting is unproductive.
“For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear, and the negotiations must be properly prepared,” Zelensky said. Ukraine had sent its proposals to Russia, reaffirming its readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire.
**Background on Conflict**
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including the southern Crimea peninsula which Moscow annexed in 2014.
**Recent Developments**
As the talks approached, both sides reported explosions on Friday night and Saturday morning. In Ukraine’s Kherson region, three people were killed and 10 more were injured. One person was also killed in the Sumy region, and residents of 11 settlements in the region were ordered to evacuate.
In a separate incident, at least 14 people were injured in an explosion in Russia’s Kursk region. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, reiterated that Kyiv had already sent its own “vision of future steps” to Russia and called for Moscow to accept an unconditional ceasefire.
**Commentary**
The latest developments suggest that the road to peace talks is becoming increasingly complicated. Russia’s reluctance to provide Ukraine with its negotiating proposals raises questions about Moscow’s commitment to making progress in these talks.
“It seems like Russia is trying to slow down the process,” said Oleksandra Romanova, a Ukrainian expert on international relations. “By not providing Ukraine with clear proposals, Russia is creating uncertainty and tension.”
The fact that both sides reported explosions in the run-up to the talks also raises concerns about the possibility of further violence.
“The situation remains volatile,” said Romanova. “Until Russia shows genuine commitment to making progress in these talks, it’s difficult to see a way forward.”
**Expert Analysis**
Ukraine has been trying to get Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire for months now. However, Moscow has only agreed to work on a “memorandum” on possible future peace.
“It’s clear that Russia is not willing to compromise,” said Romanova. “The fact that they are not providing Ukraine with clear proposals suggests that they want to drag out the negotiations as long as possible.”
In a rare rebuke to Putin, former US President Donald Trump called the Kremlin leader “absolutely crazy” and threatened US sanctions after Moscow’s largest drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
“The international community needs to hold Russia accountable for its actions,” said Romanova. “Until that happens, it’s difficult to see a way forward in these talks.”
**Next Steps**
The situation remains tense as the peace talks approach. Ukraine is hoping to get Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, while Moscow continues to delay and obfuscate.
As one Ukrainian official put it: “We are trying to find a solution, but until Russia shows genuine commitment to making progress in these talks, it’s difficult to see a way forward.”
**BBC News**
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