The Russian government on Monday branded as «unacceptable» the demand for the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine to start peace talks to end the war triggered on February 24 by the invasion order given by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
«Such conditions are unacceptable,» Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has said. «Our president has repeatedly said that we are ready to negotiate, but these negotiations must take into account the situation on the ground,» he explained.
Also, the Defense Ministry has confirmed that troops deployed in Belarus are conducting «intensive combat training» at facilities of the Belarusian Armed Forces, Russian news agency Interfax has reported.
«Classes on training and unit combat coordination are held day and night. At the training facilities, military personnel of the Western Military District improve shooting, driving military vehicles, conduct a psychological course and study medical skills and other disciplines,» it has detailed.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories in view of the start of peace talks, calls that have intensified in view of the military advances made by the Ukrainian Army in recent weeks, especially in the Kharkov and Kherson regions.
