Russia says peace talks with Ukraine ‘not progressing’

• Both the countries are blaming one other for the breakdown of the negotiation 

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said on Wednesday that peace negotiations with Ukraine have stalled and that Kyiv is adamant about not continuing them.

“Negotiations are not progressing and we note the complete unwillingness of Ukrainian negotiators to continue this process,” Peskov said, Reuters reported.

Peskov's comments come after officials from Ukraine and Russia claimed separately on Tuesday that talks between the two countries had halted, blaming one other for the break.

Meanwhile, according to Russia's state news agency RIA, 694 Ukrainian forces huddled in steelworks within the besieged port city of Mariupol have surrendered in the previous 24 hours.

Earlier this week, more than 260 Ukrainian fighters were evacuated from the steel mill according to the Ukrainian military and moved to Russian-controlled regions.

The steelworks served as the last line of defense for Ukrainian fighters against Russian occupiers in the southern port city.

Picture Credits: Reuters 

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