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After the round of negotiations in Turkey, the gaps in dialogue between Russia and Ukraine are not stopping the military escalation in Eastern Europe. Even the Kiev Ministry of Defense considers the announcement of the Russian withdrawal to be “false” because it foresees a “rotation” of the troops already advancing into the capital. A thesis that the Pentagon also supports, among other things in view of the arrival of fresh forces for the Russian army: 2,000 units from Georgia. Bombing continues northwest of Kyiv, with explosions some 20 kilometers from the capital, while Russians blockade 100 ships in the Black Sea and halt grain exports. For the UN, Moscow is responsible for the world food crisis.
Caution and skepticism after the talks in Istanbul
The Istanbul talks on Tuesday brought a glimmer of peace to the RussiaUkraine war, but caution and skepticism seem to prevail today. At the talks, the Ukrainian delegation said it was ready for neutrality and would not join military alliances (including NATO) in exchange for adequate security guarantees, while Russia would accept membership of the European Union, albeit not immediately. Markets have welcomed progress in the talks, but it is Washington that is most skeptical about Putin’s intentions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has kept all the caution of the case: “The signals that are coming in can be called positive,” he said, adding that “he sees no reason to trust Moscow’s words,” but on “Concrete” to wait for results.” Russian troops must leave the occupied territories he said and the lifting of sanctions against Russia can therefore only be foreseen after the end of the war”. The White House remains firmly on hold (“Facts first ’), even as Washington opens up to a facetoface future between Biden and Putin.
ChinaRussia foreign policy axis
Meanwhile, the conflict is redefining the global balance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed to “strengthen foreign policy coordination” and “expand bilateral and multilateral contacts,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the two ministers’ meeting in Tunxi, China today. Interfax reports it. “Against the backdrop of a complicated international situation, Russia and China continue to strengthen their strategic partners and speak with one voice in global affairs,” the statement said.
Bombing northwest of Kyiv
Nevertheless, the war situation remains critical in various areas of Ukraine, from Kharkiv through Mariupol to Mykolaiv. During the night, the BBC reported more bombings in northwest Kiev, despite the Russians’ announcement of a reduction in military operations just outside the capital. Reporters on the ground report explosions about 20 kilometers from Kyiv, without being able to clarify whether the Russians or the Ukrainians are firing. Previously, CNN had also reported heavy artillery and rocket attacks in the capital area. New bomb attacks are also being registered in the Lugansk area, more precisely in Lysychansk. Kyiv is investigating the forced deportation of civilians to Russia.