logo
Kremlin reveals expectations for upcoming Ukraine talks

Kremlin reveals expectations for upcoming Ukraine talks

Russia Today18 hours ago
Russia does not expect a breakthrough 'of the miraculous kind' in the upcoming peace negotiations with Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
The third round of talks is expected to take place this week in Istanbul, where the two sides met in May and June.
During the previous round last month, the two delegations exchanged draft memorandums on peace terms and agreed to humanitarian measures, including the return of prisoners of war and transferring the remains of soldiers.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Peskov said Russia hopes the next meeting will be held this week, adding that the date will be announced once both sides are ready.
According to the spokesman, the upcoming session will include discussions of the memorandums shared earlier, among other topics.
Asked about Moscow's expectations for the upcoming talks, Peskov said, 'there is no reason to count on any miraculous breakthroughs,' as the situation is too complex.
Peskov pushed back, however, against suggestions that the talks will be fruitless. He pointed to previous progress, such as the humanitarian exchanges, saying they represent tangible results.
He reiterated that Russia expects to secure its interests and 'fulfill the tasks that we set from the very beginning.'
Asked whether a peace deal could be expected within a year or any other time period, Peskov said, 'Any forecasts would be wrong' due to the number of variables involved.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Protesters chant ‘Zelensky is the devil' in Kiev (VIDEO)
Protesters chant ‘Zelensky is the devil' in Kiev (VIDEO)

Russia Today

time3 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Protesters chant ‘Zelensky is the devil' in Kiev (VIDEO)

Protesters in Kiev shouted insults at Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on Tuesday as they denounced his decision to back legislation curbing the independence of the country's anti-corruption agencies. Zelensky had just signed a bill into law granting the Prosecutor General's Office authority to intervene in the operations of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The move followed security raids on NABU offices and the arrest of a senior official accused of spying for Russia. The legislation sparked concern in the EU and drew sharp criticism from opposition politicians. Demonstrators gathered in central Kiev, chanting 'Zelya is the devil,' using a mocking diminutive of Zelensky's surname. Others shouted 'Shame' and 'Treason,' while holding signs demanding the preservation of the anti-corruption system's independence. The chants reportedly intensified after news broke that Zelensky had ignored calls to veto the bill. "Zelya is the devil!" the protesters shout in Kiev. Similar demonstrations took place across Ukraine, including in Odessa and Dnepr – the country's third- and fourth-largest cities. Rallies were also held in Lviv, near the Polish border, and in Sumy, an eastern city close to the front line with Russia. Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, a frequent critic of Zelensky, joined the protest in the capital. 'It's important for me to be here. Our partners created and funded the anti-corruption bodies, and over the past ten years did everything to ensure they could function. And now, the authorities want to strip them of their independence,' the former boxing champion told the US state-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Earlier on Telegram, Klitschko accused Zelensky's government of 'using the war as a pretext to dismantle the anti-corruption agencies' and pushing Ukraine toward authoritarianism. In a video address early Wednesday, Zelensky defended the new law as a necessary step to streamline corruption investigations and eliminate 'Russian influence.'

Zelensky defends clampdown on anti-corruption agencies
Zelensky defends clampdown on anti-corruption agencies

Russia Today

time5 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Zelensky defends clampdown on anti-corruption agencies

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has defended a controversial reform targeting the country's anti-corruption agencies, which has sparked street protests and raised concerns among EU officials. On Tuesday, Zelensky signed a bill into law granting the Prosecutor General's Office authority to intervene in the activities of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The move followed a raid by security officials on NABU offices and the arrest of a senior employee accused of spying for Russia. Zelensky rejected accusations of creeping authoritarianism, which have been voiced by opposition politicians, including frequent critic and Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. 'The anti-corruption infrastructure will work – just without Russian influence. It needs to be cleared of that. And there should be more justice,' Zelensky said in his daily video address early Wednesday. He added that it was 'not normal' for some officials to live abroad 'without legal consequences,' and criticized the failure to investigate corruption cases 'worth billions' over the years. 'There is no explanation for how the Russians are still able to obtain the information they need,' he said. Vasily Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), whose agents conducted the searches involving NABU personnel, denied that the measures amounted to dismantling the anti-corruption system. He insisted that the agencies 'continue to function effectively.' NABU and SAPO were established following the US-backed 2014 coup in Kiev and promoted as key components of reforms intended to align Ukraine with Western governance standards and international financial institutions. However, some Western officials, including US Vice President J.D. Vance, have argued that the decade of transformation has failed to eliminate entrenched corruption. Darya Kalenyuk, executive director of the Kiev-based NGO Anti-Corruption Action Center, linked the government's clampdown to recent investigations involving members of Zelensky's team, including former Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov and media executive Timur Mindich. 'NABU has been closing in on members of Zelensky's inner circle and friends,' Kalenyuk said, as cited by the US state-funded outlet Current Time. She adding that the reform may be aimed at concealing the embezzlement of military funds.

Zelensky's ‘authoritarian' move against anti-graft agencies sparks protests (VIDEOS)
Zelensky's ‘authoritarian' move against anti-graft agencies sparks protests (VIDEOS)

Russia Today

time6 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Zelensky's ‘authoritarian' move against anti-graft agencies sparks protests (VIDEOS)

Hundreds have protested in Kiev and other cities against a controversial decision to curtail the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies. On Tuesday, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky signed a bill into law placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under executive oversight. The move followed security raids on NABU's offices and the arrest of a senior employee accused of spying for Russia. Prosecutors have also launched an investigation into SAPO over the alleged mishandling of classified information. Opposition lawmakers warned that the new law will damage Ukraine's ties with the European Union, roll back efforts to combat corruption, and play into Moscow's hands. Protesters gathered in Kiev, Lviv, Dnepr, and Odessa, chanting 'Veto the law' and holding signs that read 'Shame' and 'Treason.'«Вето на закон», – скандують на площі Івана Франка у Києві. Люди вийшли на акцію після того, як Рада проголосувала за ліквідацію незалежності НАБУ та САП. Зібрав акцію ветеран батальйону «Вовків Да Вінчі» Дмитро Козятинський ❗️"Вимагаємо вето!" Львів'яни вийшли на захист незалежності НАБУ і САП. Some demonstrators shouted 'I'm not a loser,' referencing a phrase Zelensky used during a viral 2019 confrontation with militia members. One protester held a sign reading, 'The end of NABU and SAP marks the start of an age of corruption.' В Києві розпочалася акція протесту проти ухвалення законопроєкту №12414, який фактично ліквідує НАБУ та САП. Аналогічні акції були анонсовані в Дніпрі та Львові. 'The new legislation does not bring Ukraine closer to the European Union, democracy, or the rule of law,' Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, a frequent critic of Zelensky, wrote on Telegram. 'It seems the authors have become convinced of their own impunity and are rapidly pulling Ukraine toward authoritarianism,' he added. The government has defended the reform, arguing it is necessary to preserve the agencies' integrity amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store