Signals are coming from Moscow again for a willingness to negotiate. Russia is pointing the finger at the United States. Kyiv recalls its demands for the start of talks. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, efforts to revive the grain deal are raging.
Signals are coming from Moscow again for a willingness to negotiate. Russia is pointing the finger at the United States. Kyiv recalls its demands for the start of talks. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, efforts to revive the grain deal are raging. The 249th day of the war at a glance.
Ukraine demands Russian withdrawal before negotiations
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has renewed Russia's offer to negotiate. For its part, Ukraine named a complete Russian troop withdrawal as a prerequisite for this. "The only realistic proposal should be the immediate end of the Russian war against Ukraine and the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko said in Kyiv. In addition, Moscow must stop destroying the country's energy infrastructure so that people do not freeze to death in winter. Anyone who wants to negotiate shouldn't shoot at residential areas in Ukraine either, mobilize 300,000 reservists for the fight and not - as has been the case since Saturday - block the country's grain exports, he said.
Peskow: Above all, the United States needs to be willing to hold talks
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the question of whether offers to negotiate with Ukraine weren't a sign of weakness, saying that only "strong people" could reach out to peace. Peskov also explained that for such talks, what is needed above all is the willingness of the United States to listen to Russia's position. "Obviously, the deciding voice is in Washington," he says. Russia accuses the leadership in Ukraine of being controlled by the United States. In addition, the Russian power apparatus sees Washington as a war party because of the billions in arms deliveries.
UN and Turkey want to save grain deal
Internationally, there are still massive protests against Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal. UN Secretary-General António Guterres wants to save the agreement. A UN spokesman said he was “deeply concerned” and was in intensive contact with the aim of having the suspension reversed. He did not give details. Guterres therefore postponed his departure for an Arab League summit in Algeria. Turkey also wants to support a continuation. The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that negotiations with the responsible actors would continue. The Russian representatives are still in the joint coordination center in Istanbul. "During this time there will be no ship departures from Ukraine," it said - it was not clear which period was meant by this. However, the inspection of the ships waiting in front of Istanbul is to be continued on Sunday and Monday. According to Turkish information, 9.3 million tons of grain have been shipped so far. The agreement was originally due to expire on November 19 - but would have been automatically extended if neither side had objected.
Kyiv: More than 200 ships are stuck
According to Ukrainian sources, more than 200 ships are stranded as a result of Russia's cancellation of the UN grain agreement. Since Ukraine has not received permission from the Joint Coordination Center to pass through the safe corridor, "218 ships are blocked in their current position," Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry writes on Telegram. According to this, 95 loaded ships that left Ukrainian ports are awaiting inspection. 101 empty ships are awaiting inspection for entry into Ukrainian ports. 22 ships with agricultural goods are waiting to leave Ukrainian ports.
Moscow: Drone attack from grain ship
Meanwhile, the Russian military is giving alleged details of the attack on the Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol. The Russian Defense Ministry said the remote-controlled combat boats were launched at night near the Ukrainian port of Odessa. The boats initially used the sea corridor set aside for transporting grain, and then set course for Sevastopol. Evidence of this was not attached to the written communication. Russian experts read the route from the electronics of the swimming drones. It can be assumed that at least one drone at sea was launched from one of the grain ships. This was also not documented - no ship name was given either.
Slovenia supplies M-55S tanks
Slovenia has handed over 28 Soviet M-55S main battle tanks to Ukraine. This is reported by the Slovenian news portal "24ur.com" and refers to the country's defense ministry. The tanks were brought to Ukraine by rail via Poland. The EU and NATO partner country Slovenia will now receive 43 heavy military trucks from Germany via a so-called ring exchange.
Finland: Weapons for Ukraine in the hands of Finnish criminals
According to the police in Helsinki, weapons delivered to Ukraine have already ended up in the hands of Finnish criminals. These are, for example, assault rifles, said Chief Commissioner Christer Ahlgren from the National Investigation Bureau to Finnish radio Yle. "Weapons destined for Ukraine have also been found in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands." The European police organization Europol warned in the summer that criminals could target weapons and ammunition, which Kyiv receives in large quantities as foreign military aid. "We have indications that such weapons are also finding their way to Finland," Ahlgren said.
Klingbeil calls Putin a war criminal
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. "Putin is a war criminal. He is responsible for the fact that innocent people, children and civilians are dying there," he said at the Jusos federal congress. At the same time he reaffirmed his support for Ukraine. His party stands with a country that is being attacked every day by a brutal war led by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Putin must appear before the international courts and will bear responsibility for this brutal war for which he is responsible."
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