Ukrainian official says talks with Russia suspended

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) – Talks between Ukraine and Russia are currently suspended, a senior Ukrainian official said on Tuesday.

"Objectively speaking, the negotiation process is really on pause. Why? There are several reasons. Russia does not demonstrate the key – the understanding of today's processes in the world and its (Russia’s) extremely negative role," Mykhailo Podolyak, the top negotiator and adviser to Ukraine’s president, told reporters.

He asserted that Russia does not understand that the war is "no longer waged according to their rules, schedule or plans."

Ukraine’s resistance only consolidates, Podolyak said, claiming that senior politicians refrain from telling the truth due to Russia's "propaganda."

"Finally, the key point. Russia absolutely wants to see in action all the packages of international economic sanctions and finally understand the real ‘combat capability’ of its army, as well as lose the remnants of its reputation. This, in my opinion, is the strategic goal of the Russians: all or nothing. Therefore, it makes no sense to prevent the collapse of this bizarre 'empire'," he stressed.

Podolyak said the negotiations with the Russian side will continue "if there is specificity."

Since the war began, Turkiye has hosted the highest-profile meetings between Ukrainian and Russian officials this March in the resort city of Antalya and in Istanbul.

Russia’s war on Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has left thousands dead or wounded, and forced more than 6.2 million people to flee abroad.