At Least Until the End of the Day: Decision to Be Made at the Highest Level if Negotiations Fail – Slutsky

The negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations must take place at least by the end of the day, the ball is in Kyiv’s court, and it should not be delayed. This was stated by Leonid Slutsky, the head of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee and a member of the Russian delegation, according to TASS news agency.

“The ball is now in Zelensky's court, who must send his Ukrainian delegation for negotiations to Belarus, as agreed yesterday. We are ready for negotiations,” Slutsky said.

According to him, this will allow both sides to reach a common position. “Delaying for not only days but hours is a criminal act, unacceptable especially if those currently in power in Kyiv are at least somewhat concerned about their people and the fate of Ukraine,” he added.

Slutsky noted that Zelensky's current demarche is incomprehensible. “We expect that the Ukrainian delegation should be sent here today, and the negotiations should take place today, at least by the end of the day—much depends on this,” he remarked, adding that Russia has a “clear negotiating position.”

The delegation member expressed that there is certain confusion regarding Zelensky's words. “If Ukraine refuses negotiations, it means that the Western instructors of today’s Kyiv authorities are giving completely unconstructive instructions,” Slutsky stated. He added that if the negotiations are disrupted, the decision will be made at the highest level.