The United Kingdom and France have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of a conscious delay in negotiations on termination of hostilities in Ukraine. Foreign ministers of both countries have stated that Moscow has actually rejected the US initiative on a 30-day truce, instead continuing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
This was stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barro and his British colleague David Lemmy during a briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels, reports The Washington Post.
According to Lemma, the Kremlin avoids a direct response to a peaceful initiative, delaying the process and continuing to strike in Ukraine.
"We believe that Putin continues to confuse the situation, to take time. Instead of ceasefire, we see bombardment of civilian infrastructure and energy objects of Ukraine. We see you, Vladimir Putine. We know what you are doing," he said.
French Minister Barro also stressed that Ukraine had adopted the proposed truce three weeks ago. Therefore, now Russia has to give a clear answer: it agrees to cease fire or not.
"Russia is constantly changing its position, but at the same time continues its military crimes," Barro said.
The head of the French Foreign Ministry drew attention to Putin's recent decree on the spring call of 160,000 Russians for conscript military service. According to him, this is another proof that the Kremlin does not plan to curtail its military campaign.
"If Russia wants peace, it should stop mobilization and attack. But instead we see a new call, which indicates its intention to continue the war," he added.
London and Paris insist on Russia's immediate and unambiguous response to the US initiative to end hostilities. They emphasize that all delay only continue the suffering of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure.
