Moscow rejects negotiations with Kyiv under current conditions

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, said on Tuesday, June 9, that negotiations with Ukraine are “impossible” under current conditions, dismissing an “open letter” from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “clumsy provocation”.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Ukraine convened at the request of Western countries, Nebenzya said the letter was not a genuine peace initiative but an attempt to conceal what he described as Kyiv’s efforts to derail negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

He added that Western governments were prepared to “shower Zelenskyy with gold” in order to prolong the war.

Nebenzya said, “It is impossible to talk about real negotiations with Ukraine as long as Kyiv continues to speak to Moscow in the language of rudeness and ultimatums.”

He also urged Zelenskyy to revoke a decree prohibiting direct negotiations with Putin before issuing public appeals.

“Before writing such so-called open letters, you should first cancel your own decree that prohibited you from negotiating with the President of Russia. And if you really want to talk, find a way to convey your desire discreetly, rather than through megaphone diplomacy,” he said.

Nebenzya added that “Russia will pursue its objectives by military means until Zelenskyy realises the erroneous nature of the chosen course.”

He also said Russian forces were continuing precision strikes on Ukrainian military-related infrastructure.

“The Armed Forces of Russia are carrying out precision strikes on enterprises of the defence-industrial complex, fuel and transport infrastructure facilities in Ukraine used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as military airfields. As a result, 10 enterprises producing military products, including strike UAVs, have been hit in Kyiv in recent times,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova