2Photo© ndtv.com'Non-negotiable': Russia Refuses To Return Annexed Ukrainian Land
, 4 news, a view
The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out giving back Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed as part of a future peace deal, setting out a major red line as Russian and US officials met in Istanbul for a new round of talks to normalise relations.
US President Donald Trump has pushed for a quick end to the three-year conflict since taking office last month, reaching out to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a stunning shift in US foreign policy.
The Istanbul talks come after a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, and aim at restoring diplomatic ties after embassy staff on both sides were expelled under the Joe Biden administration.
“ The first contacts with the new US administration give some hope. There is a mutual desire to work on restoring relations,
Vladimir Putin,
Russia says annexation of Ukrainian land is ‘non-negotiable’