The Kremlin had crafted a proposed agreement with a checklist of 15 demands which insisted that Ukraine recognize the annexation of Crimea and the independence of Donbas.
Zelensky has denied the proposals, despite Ukrainian cities continuing to be pummeled by Russian forces, with Mariupol’s theater targeted in Putin’s latest savage attack.
In a video shared on Telegram, Zelensky announced: “The talks on Ukraine continue. My priorities at the talks are crystal clear: end of the war, security guarantees, sovereignty, restoring territorial integrity, real guarantees for our country, real protection of our country.”
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Earlier, sources on both sides had signaled that progress had been made in talks that would ensure a ceasefire and the departure of Russian troops.
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The provisions in the 15-point plan would mean Kyiv would agree to neutrality and accept limitations on its military to stop the brutal aggression against its civilians by Putin’s forces.
It would see Zelensky abandon his NATO dreams and promise not to host Western military bases or weaponry in exchange for defense.
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Sources briefed on the talks told the Financial Times that another provision includes glorifying rights for the Russian language in Ukraine.
Though the biggest sticking point was Russia’s assertion that Ukraine recognizes the annexation of Crimea and the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk.
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Putin declares that the whole of the Donbas should split from Ukraine, and not only the parts inhabited by pro-Moscow rebel forces before fighting broke out.
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Zelensky’s remarks that Ukraine’s priorities include restoring Ukraine’s territory suggest the two sides are some way off finalizing an agreement.
The wartime leader again blamed Putin for war crimes in his latest video address.
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He announced: “Ukraine received powerful support from our American friends. I’m thankful to President Biden for it. I’m thankful for the leadership that united the democratic world.”
“But the war doesn’t stop. Russian war crimes don’t stop. The Russian economy is still capable of feeding their military machine.”
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Appealing for more international backing, Zelensky then detailed the destruction in the crucial port city of Mariupol, which has been under heavy bombardment for weeks.
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He announced: “In besieged Mariupol, Russian aviation deliberately dropped a heavy bomb on a Drama Theatre in the city center. Hundreds of people were hiding there from shelling. The building is destroyed. The number of victims is unknown yet. My heart is broken because of what Russia does with our people.”
“Russian forces have such losses in Ukraine that they didn’t have in Syria and Chechnya, that Soviet forces didn’t have in Afghanistan.”
“If your war against Ukrainian people continues, Russian mothers will lose more children than in the Afghan and Chechen wars combined.”
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