Ukrainian negotiator: Russia is attempting to put public pressure on negotiations

Sevhil Musaieva, Svitlana Kizilova – Tuesday, 12 April 2022, 17:26

Mykhailo Podoliak, a member of the Ukrainian negotiating team, has said that despite the present difficulty of negotiating with Russia, the negotiations continue.

Source: Mykhailo Podoliak in a commentary for Ukrainska Pravda

Details: On 12 April, President Vladimir Putin of Russia claimed that Russia’s negotiations with Ukraine had reached a dead end after the Istanbul negotiations and the atrocities in Bucha, which Putin blamed on Ukrainian soldiers.

Podoliak, on the other hand, said that it is difficult to maintain the conversation with the Russian side, and that the Russian Federation is pursuing the strategy of public pressure on Ukraine. Despite this, Ukraine remains steadfast in its position.

According to Podoliak: "Briefly speaking, the negotiations are very tough. They are taking place online, in working groups. They are continuing. Obviously, the emotional load of the negotiations today is heavy.

Obviously, the Ukrainian delegation is working exclusively within transparent, pro-Ukrainian limits. It is also clear that the Russian side is pursuing its traditional strategy of putting public pressure on the negotiation process, including through certain public statements."