Russia and Ukraine are ready for more peace talks, but neither side looks ready to budge


Russia and Ukraine say they're ready for another round of peace talks, but neither side appears willing to accede to the other's demands, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Per AP, "Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that a delegation would be ready later in the day to meet Ukrainian officials" and signaled that his country was prepared to weather the "unprecedented" sanctions being imposed on Russia.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Dmytro Kuleba said his country is also ready to negotiate but is unwilling to accept "Russian ultimatums" which are "the same as those publicly voiced by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin at the state of the war," The Kyiv Independent reported.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the months leading up to Russia's invasion, Putin attempted unsuccessfully to extract from NATO, Ukraine, or both a promise that Ukraine would not join NATO.
The two countries previously held talks on the border between Ukraine and Putin-allied Belarus on Monday. According to Al Jazeera, they agreed to hold another meeting on the border between Poland and Belarus but were unable to reach a consensus on much else.
After advancing more slowly than expected, the Russian invasion progressed on Tuesday and Wednesday with the capture of the port city of Kherson and the encirclement of Kharkiv and Mariupol, the United Kingdom's Defense Ministry and Al Jazeera reported.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
What to know before cosigning a loan
the explainer Consider the long-lasting implications before helping out a loved one
-
5 tips for coping with air travel anxiety
The Week Recommends You can soothe your nervousness about flying before boarding the plane
-
'Some progress is already underway'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
-
What's behind Russia's biggest conscription drive in years?
Today's Big Question Putin calls up 160,000 men, sending a threatening message to Ukraine and Baltic states
-
Is the 'coalition of the willing' going to work?
Today's Big Question PM's proposal for UK/French-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine provokes 'hostility' in Moscow and 'derision' in Washington
-
Russia's spies: skulduggery in Great Yarmouth
In the Spotlight 'Amateurish' spy ring in Norfolk seaside town exposes the decline of Russian intelligence
-
Can Ukraine make peace with Trump in Saudi Arabia?
Talking Point Zelenskyy and his team must somehow navigate the gap between US president's 'demands and threats'
-
Ukraine: where do Trump's loyalties really lie?
Today's Big Question 'Extraordinary pivot' by US president – driven by personal, ideological and strategic factors – has 'upended decades of hawkish foreign policy toward Russia'
-
Is Europe's defence too reliant on the US?
Today's Big Question As the UK and EU plan to 're-arm', how easy will it be to disentangle from US equipment and support?
-
Is the British Army ready to deploy to Ukraine?
Today's Big Question The UK 'would be expected to play a major role' if a peacekeeping force is sent to enforce ceasefire with Russia