RT reported that Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Ukraine needs to find a way to counter negative influences and hinder peace efforts from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO).
This statement was made by Ms. Zakharova after Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga made some notable comments about the results of the talks between Moscow and Kiev held on May 16 in Istanbul (Türkiye).
Mr. Sibiga first condemned some of Russia's actions and stated that, despite no signs of a ceasefire, Ukraine had reached an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners. That alone makes the whole thing meaningful, Mr. Sibiga emphasized.
Zakharova later noted that the deal came from Russian President Vladimir Putin's negotiation proposal and was carried out by a delegation that "Zelandky had mocked for a day".
Ms. Zakharova also affirmed that if all insulting words are oted off, Mr. Sibiga would have basically admitted that Russias proposals have a certain basis, and warned that NATOs advice could step off the path of reconciliation and fall into the abyss of foreign calculations once again.
The May 16 talks are seen as a continuation of the Russia-Ukraine round also in Istanbul in 2022, right after the conflict broke out.
At the time, Moscow said the negotiations were being broken by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who advised Kiev to continue fighting.
Although Mr. Johnson denied the accusation, the head of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation at that time, Mr. David Arakhamia, admitted that the former British Prime Minister had an influence in the decision to stop negotiations.
Since then, Russia has repeatedly accused Western governments of always using Ukraine as a tool against Russia. However, Moscow has also noted that the US has begun to adjust its stance on solutions to the conflict under President Donald Trump.
