MOSCOW: The third round of talks between Ukraine and Russia came to an end without any agreement on the ceasefire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attended the talks in Antalya, Turkey. The talks, mediated by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, were held as part of reconciliation efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kuleba said that there was no consensus even on the issues of ceasefire and evacuation of civilians. "Ukraine wants a solution through diplomatic talks. But Russia is not interested in a ceasefire. Ukraine can do nothing if the country that started the war does not want to stop it. It is necessary to open the humanitarian corridor in Mariupol. It is expected that a 24-hour ceasefire will be announced. We are still ready to hold talks with Russia to end the war," Kuleba said.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia had already announced its demands and that it was up to Ukraine to decide. He also accused Western countries of supplying arms to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Russian attack on a children's hospital in Mariupol has exacerbated tensions between the two countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has lashed out at the Russian Foreign Minister over the latter's statement that there were no patients in the hospital. He said Russia was spreading false propaganda and that three people, including a child, had been killed in the attack.
International media reported that Russia had resumed shelling in Mariupol.