NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke to the press on Saturday at the Polish-Ukrainian border, along with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
The Ukrainian minister discussed ongoing diplomatic meetings with Russian officials and the possibility of a peaceful settlement. However, Kuleba was less than optimistic about the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
“I cannot say that there is any progress in this. We all hope that the humanitarian corridors agreed upon during the last round of negotiations will work,” Kuleba said. “Unfortunately, at least as we speak, these humanitarian corridors are inaccessible due to Russian fire and shells.”
UKRAINE APPEALS TO RUSSIAN MOTHERS CLOSE TO CONSULT ITS SOLDIERS TO STOP FIGHTING
Despite the brick wall Ukrainian diplomats have stumbled upon, Kuleba said his country would not make an unequal decision in favor of Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (center right) inspects a reception center for displaced people from Ukraine at the Ukrainian-Polish border crossing in Korczew, Poland, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
“But every war ends with diplomacy and negotiations, so we must continue negotiations, but we do not go to these negotiations in order to accept Russian ultimatums,” he added.
Blinken confirmed the partnership and courage of the Ukrainian people and called Kuleba a good friend.
The Secretary of State also reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to provide more firepower to Ukraine, saying “the whole world stands with Ukraine.”
“We are seeing an extraordinary surge in support for Russian aggression from around the world,” Blinken said on Saturday at the Polish-Ukrainian border. “I am in awe of my friend, his entire government, President Zelensky and the courage they show the world every day and it is inspiring.”
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken speaks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the Korchova border crossing in Poland on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Lee).
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Over the weekend, Kuleba urged the mothers, daughters and wives of those fighting for Russia to demand that Putin stop fighting. This week, Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov addressed the soldiers themselves directly.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly cited the death toll in Russia and expressed sympathy for the families of those who served under President Vladimir Putin, many of whom are described as poorly trained conscripts with substandard equipment who were tricked into fighting in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (center) inspects a reception center for displaced persons from Ukraine at the Ukrainian-Polish border crossing in Korcheva, Poland, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Olivier Dulery, pool photo via AP) (Olivier Dulery, photo pool via AP)
The leaders also posted videos on social media of demoralized Russian soldiers in uniform. Some said they were not informed of the intrusion, although statements may have been made under duress.
The lack of morale came as a poignant moment when Ukraine’s UN ambassador on Monday read aloud a text message he said was between a Russian soldier and his mother before he was killed.
Louis Casiano of Fox News contributed to this report.