Kyiv is stalling peace talks: Putin

At least 109 empty strollers are seen placed outside the Lviv city council to highlight the number of children killed in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Pic/AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during a phone call on Friday that Kyiv was attempting to stall peace talks with Russia but that Moscow was still keen to continue negotiations.

"It was noted that the Kyiv regime is attempting in every possible way to delay the negotiation process, putting forward more and more unrealistic proposals," the Kremlin said in a readout of the call. "Nonetheless the Russian side is ready to continue searching for a solution in line with its well-known principled approaches."

The Kremlin spokesman said Russian President Vladimir Putin's call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the issue had been harsh but business-like. Pic/AP

Western officials said on Thursday that Ukraine and Russia were taking peace talks seriously but a big gap remained between them. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said Putin's call with Scholz had been harsh but business-like, told reporters the Russian delegation was "demonstrating its readiness to work much faster than is being done now". "Unfortunately the Ukrainian delegation is not ready to step up the pace of negotiations. But the (negotiation) process continues nonetheless." Moscow has previously said it was close to agreeing a formula that would keep Ukraine neutral.

Ukraine said it is willing to negotiate but will not surrender or accept Russian ultimatums. It is sticking to its position that it retain sovereignty over areas seized by Russia and Russian-backed forces since 2014.

Poland wants peacekeeping mission

Poland will formally submit a proposal for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine at the next NATO summit, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday. Poland's ruling party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski announced the idea o during a trip to Kyiv on Tuesday.

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