‘Peace talks are smokescreen for fresh Russian offensive’

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was “very sceptical” about the talks Russia and Ukraine were holding adding that Kremlin might be using the peace talks as a “smokescreen” for further aggression, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has warned that Russia might be using the peace talks as a “smokescreen” to regroup troops for further offensive.

In an interview with The Times the foreign secretary said she feared the negotiations – which have been said to have made some progress – were a “smokescreen”.

In his nightly video address posted early Saturday on Facebook, the President said: “Meaningful negotiations on peace, on security for us, for Ukraine – are the only chance for Russia to reduce the damage from its own mistakes.

“It’s time to meet. Time to talk. It is time to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine. Otherwise, Russia’s losses will be so huge that several generations will not be enough to rebound.”

Zelensky’s remarks come as Russia has continued its assault on Ukraine, targeting major cities and infrastruction.

The Mayor of Mariupol, one of the worst-affected, has confirmed that fighting had reached the centre of the city, with more than 80 per cent of residential buildings were either damaged or destroyed due to Russian bombardment, the BBC reported.

Hundreds of people were still trapped in the basement of a theatre in Mariupol which was bombed by Russia on Thursday.

According to Zelensky, Russian shelling has prevented Mariupol authorities from establishing effective humanitarian corridors to the besieged city.

Meanwhile, UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward gave a statement at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

“We urge Russia to stop this invasion now, before any more damage is done in Ukraine – and also to Russia,” her statement read.

“Ukraine does not want war. Russians and Ukrainians – soldiers, civilians, mothers, children – are dying.”

“Russia is isolated diplomatically, isolated economically and bogged down in Ukraine,” she added.