Negotiations at risk of collapse: Diplomat voices grim forecast for Ukraine
A former diplomat revealed alarming details about the negotiations with Russia: they promise but fail to act.
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Negotiations in Istanbul / © Getty Images / © Getty Images
Russia continues to refuse to acknowledge the fact of holding Ukrainian citizens on its territory.
This was stated by the former representative of Ukraine to the EU Andriy Veselovsky on Kyiv24.
According to him, the recent negotiations, which took place as part of a new round, have actually not opened a new chapter. The Russian side clearly stated during the meeting that «there are no Ukrainians in our custody» and that everything that could be returned has already been returned or will be returned shortly. «That’s where it ends,» Veselovsky noted.
The diplomat emphasized that such statements are not new. Prisoner swaps have occurred in previous years, but there is no basis to speak of a breakthrough at this point. Moreover, Russia is obstructing the process of returning deported children, refusing to acknowledge the fact of their detention.
«There is, unfortunately, no progress. And there are no prospects for progress. When or whether the next meetings will take place is impossible to predict,» Veselovsky stated.
Despite some optimism from the Ukrainian side, the situation remains complex: negotiations are being dragged out, and Russia’s stance is becoming increasingly rigid.