DISINFO: Ukraine does not want to negotiate the end of the war in Donbas
SUMMARY
Zelenskyy is not ready for direct negotiations with Donbas. The withdrawal of weapons was disrupted because of Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the war in Ukraine. In his inauguration speech, President Zelenskyy mentioned that he is ready to conduct negotiations to stop the war in Donbas. During his recent press conference with the President of France, President Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine adheres to diplomatic measures as the only way to resolve the war in Donbas. In a recent interview for BILD magazine, Zelenskyy clearly stated that the war can be resolved only by diplomatic means. “We will do everything to implement a ceasefire and stop the killing and suffering of our people in the nearest future. We have to give diplomats the chance to talk again while the guns stay silent. This is what I count on. And hope this will be heard in Moscow." OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine records numerous examples of Minsk agreements violation by the representatives of the so-called DNR and LNR. On June 23, it recorded 30 Grad multiple rocket launchers located in the Russian-occupied districts of the Luhansk region. On May 4, the militants deployed 14 multiple rocket launchers in violation of the withdrawal lines. Moreover, on June 26, Ukraine started the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Stanytsia Luhanska in accordance with the agreement reached at a recent meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group. U.S. Special Representative to Ukraine Kurt Volker welcomed the move and called on Russia to take reciprocal further steps. However, on June 27, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation informed that the militants continue the use of heavy weapons near Stanytsia Luhanska.