Contacts are underway for the return of negotiations with Ukraine, says Zakharova

Moscow, (ST) – The official spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, confirmed that contacts are continuing with the Ukrainian side to resume negotiation between the two parties.

Russia’s website today quoted Zakharova as saying in a statement on Wednesday that, “communications are ongoing and Russia demands that  Ukraine recognizes the return of the Crimea and the independence of the Republic of Donetsk and Lugansk “.

Several negotiating rounds were previously conducted between the Russian and Ukrainian sides and  Russia has submitted many demands  related to  stopping its own military operation to protect Donbas.

Meanwhile, Zakharova described the Lithuanian parliament ,s statement that Russia supports terrorism as “extremist behavior”.

Zakharova pointed out that “NATO countries are the only ones that agree to such documents, notes and data and we have witnessed in recent decades more than once illegal and aggressive actions by the alliance without any legal foundations or facts on the ground that led to the fall of many victims and the emergence of new conflicts.

Raghda Sawas