Russia’s defence ministry on Tuesday accused Ukraine, with support from certain European nations, of taking “provocative steps” to derail Moscow-led peace talks with Kyiv.
The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years took place on May 16, but failed to produce a ceasefire agreement.
“At the initiative of the Russian Federation, direct Russian-Ukrainian dialogue on a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine has been resumed,” the ministry said.
“At the same time, the Kyiv regime, supported by certain European countries, has taken a number of provocative steps aimed at disrupting the negotiation process.”
According to the Russian ministry, since May 20, Ukraine has significantly increased drone and missile attacks on Russian territory, using Western-supplied munitions and targeting civilian areas.
Between the evening of May 20 and the morning of May 27, Russian air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 2,331 Ukrainian drones, including 1,465 outside the immediate conflict zone, the ministry said.
Ukraine has also reported a sharp escalation in Russian attacks on its territory, including a record barrage on Sunday night.
The intensification prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to comment that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY,” while also threatening new sanctions.
Russia’s defence ministry on Tuesday said that its strikes were retaliatory, precise, and targeted solely at military facilities and enterprises within Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
‘Working On Draft Peace Memorandum’
Russia’s foreign ministry stated on Tuesday that Russia is continuing to work on the draft memorandum setting out the principles of a possible future peace accord to end the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, after a call with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this month, said that Moscow was ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum about a future peace accord.
Putin said the memorandum would define the principles of a possible settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement and details about a possible ceasefire.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said work was continuing on the Russian draft and that once the document was ready, it would be handed over to Ukraine.
“Russia continues to develop a draft memorandum on a future peace treaty, defining a number of positions, such as the principles of settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement, and a potential ceasefire for a certain amount of time if appropriate agreements are reached,” she said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
