Russia says claims over annexed Ukraine regions key to peace
The Hindu
Russia asserts control over Ukrainian regions, demands recognition in negotiations with Ukraine to resolve ongoing conflict.
Russia said on Monday (April 28, 2025) it was ready to negotiate directly with Ukraine, but that recognition of its claims over five Ukrainian regions including Crimea, were "imperative" to resolving the conflict.
Since launching its Ukraine offensive in February 2022, Russia has seized large parts of four Ukrainian regions and claimed them as its own, in addition to Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Ukraine has denounced the annexations as an illegal land grab and says it will never recognise them, while European officials have warned that accepting Moscow's demands set a dangerous precedent that could lead to future Russian aggression.
The comments came as U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Russia to accept a ceasefire, telling reporters on Sunday (April 27, 2025) he believed Volodymyr Zelenskyy might concede Crimea as part of a settlement - a suggestion the Ukrainian leader has previously balked at.
"The Russian side has repeatedly confirmed its readiness, as confirmed by the president, to begin negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media on Monday (April 28, 2025).
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Brazilian newspaper O Globo published Monday (April 28, 2025) that "We remain open to negotiations."
"But the ball is not in our court. So far, Kyiv has not demonstrated its ability to negotiate," he said, adding Moscow's position on the conflict was "well-known".
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