Russia says progress in peace talks stalledMarch 21, 2022 - 15:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia says progress has stalled in peace talks with Ukraine, as President Vladimir Putin’s forces stepped up their fierce assault on key cities, Fnancial Times reports. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters on Monday, March 21 that “the degree of progress falls short of what we would like”. Ukraine and Russia are close to agreeing key points of a possible deal, Turkey’s foreign minister said on Sunday, including Kyiv renouncing its drive to join Nato and embracing “demilitarisation” in exchange for collective security guarantees. Peskov thanked the mediators, led by Israel and Turkey, for their help in the talks. “It’s important to make Ukraine more amenable,” he said. But Ukraine and its western allies are sceptical that Russia is negotiating in good faith as an air strike levelled a shopping centre in downtown Kyiv. Though Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Putin to hold direct talks, Peskov said they would only happen if Kyiv “does its homework by holding negotiations and agreeing their results”. “For now, there is no substantial movement. They won’t have any agreements to commit to.” Peskov said Russia would not commit to a ceasefire before an agreement was reached because “nationalist groups use any pause in operations to regroup and continue attacking Russian forces”. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |