Ukrainian negotiator says Russia ‘provoking tension’ with statements about talks

Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak accuses Russia of stoking tensions by releasing misleading statements about negotiations.

“Our positions are unchanged,” Podolyak says. “Ceasefire, withdrawal of troops & strong security guarantees with concrete formulas.”

“The statements of the Russian side are only their requesting positions. All statements are intended, inter alia, to provoke tension in the media.”

Russia earlier claimed some progress in the negotiations, saying the two sides had inched closer toward agreeing on Ukrainian neutrality.

Negotiation status. The statements of the Russian side are only their requesting positions. All statements are intended, inter alia, to provoke tension in the media. Our positions are unchanged. Ceasefire, withdrawal of troops & strong security guarantees with concrete formulas.

— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 18, 2022