FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a news conference, in Moscow
Reuters: Russia says Ukraine presented 'unacceptable' draft peace deal
(Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that Ukraine had presented Moscow with a draft peace deal containing "unacceptable" elements at variance with a previous agreement, comments that Kyiv dismissed as "pure propaganda".
The Kremlin has said talks with Ukraine are not progressing as rapidly as it would like, and has accused the West of trying to derail negotiations by raising war crimes allegations against Russian troops in Ukraine, which Moscow denies.
Lavrov said on Thursday that Ukraine had presented a draft agreement on Wednesday that deviated from proposals both sides' negotiators had agreed on.
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WNU Editor: Lavrov has been signaling many things in the past few days. But what sticks out for me is that Lavrov is saying (on Russian media) that if negotiations to reach a peaceful resolution are not possible, the war itself will then impose the conditions that will end it.
The Russian foreign minister is also making it very clear that Russian military forces will not withdraw from south or eastern Ukraine anytime soon.
Update: A source that I trust in Russia has just told me that the Kremlin has accepted the possibility that this war will still be ongoing into next year.
Kremlin Rejects New Ukraine Draft Peace Proposal As Unacceptable
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Changing Demands Since Istanbul Talks -- Moscow Times/AFP
New Kiev-drafted agreement marks departure from provisions recorded in Istanbul — Lavrov -- TASS
Lavrov Says Kiev's New Draft Peace Agreement Different From Proposals Rolled Out at Istanbul Talks -- Sputnik
Russia accuses Ukraine of backpedaling in peace talks -- RT
Ukraine war: Moscow says Kyiv’s draft peace deal unacceptable, reveals US role -- Hindustan Times
Lavrov Rejects New Ukraine Draft Peace Proposal As "Unacceptable", Says US Seeks To Undermine Talks -- Zero Hedge