The Kremlin has given indication that it is ready to negotiate with Ukraine since the goals of its “special military operation” in Ukraine are unchanged, but that they may be achieved through negotiations.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman made this known in a media engagement in Moscow while insisting that it has not ruled out negotiations. Meanwhile, the latest comment adds to a series of statements made by Kremlin this week stressing that Moscow is open to talks– a change of tone that follows a series of humiliating defeats for Russian forces as the war in Ukraine nears the end of its eighth month.
“The direction has not changed, the special military operation continues, it continues in order for us to achieve our goals. However, we have repeatedly reiterated that we remain open to negotiations to achieve our objectives.”
Dmitry Peskov
While Russia has said before that it is prepared to negotiate, the repeated references this week to the possibility of dialogue are striking.
Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, also said on Tuesday, 11th October, 2022, that Moscow was opened to talks with the West, but the United States dismissed the statement as “posturing”.
However, Lavrov returned to the issue today, Thursday, October 13, 2022, saying, “We will not run after anyone. If there are specific serious proposals, we are ready to consider them”. He moreover, added that “When we get some sort of signal, we will be ready to consider it”.
Ukrainian President Rules Out Negotiations
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has ruled out talking to President Vladimir Putin after Russia proclaimed the annexation of four Ukrainian regions last month and rained missiles on Ukrainian cities this week in the wake of an attack on a vital bridge between Russia and annexed Crimea.
As the Kremlin continue to give the indication of its readiness to go to the negotiation table, it continued to suffer severe losses on the battlefield.
Earlier today, Ukraines Air Force confirms there’s photo and video evidence of shooting down of 4 Russian Ka-52 helicopters within 18 minutes.
Yurii Ihnat, the spokesman for Ukrainian Air Force Command, on air during the national 24/7 newscast, confirmed the shooting of the helicopters.
“18 minutes is the period within which we managed to successfully catch Ruscist helicopters [that flew] above the southern front, as they were providing fire support. There were [actually] more targets. Confirmation [of the fact that they were downed] is currently underway. These four targets [4 Ka-52s – ed.] are confirmed to have been shot down.
“There is even video and photo evidence. And we are also waiting for confirmation [of the fact] that perhaps two more helicopters were hit. This is a great result. Ruscist equipment is expensive. These are Ka-52s that cost many millions of dollars.”
Yurii Ihnat
President Vladimir Putin authorised “a special military operation” against Ukraine on Thursday morning, February 24, 2022, to eliminate what he called a serious threat, saying his aim was to demilitarise Russia’s southern neighbour.
READ ALSO: Kintampo Rural Bank Renews Commitment to Grant More Loans to Smallholder Farmers Using WRS
