Russia Accuses Ukraine of 'Torpedoing' Peace Talks

Russia has accused Ukraine of 'torpedoing' talks to end the war, claiming that the new text presented by Kyiv is 'radically different' from what had been agreed with the US.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Moscow believes Kyiv and its supporters in the European Union are sabotaging efforts for an agreement. 'Our ability to make a final effort and reach an agreement will depend on our work and the political will of the other side,' he said.

Ryabkov added that it is impossible to reach a final agreement without resolving the problems that caused the crisis. He also referred to the summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska last August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented a new version of the American plan, which proposes freezing the front lines without resolving territorial issues and does not include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas or Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO.

Ryabkov argued that the new plan differs radically from the 27 points that had been worked out with the American side since the beginning of December.