INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday failed to find a breakthrough on a ceasefire and other humanitarian issues at the first high-level talks
between the two sides since Moscow's invasion.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba met on the sidelines of
a diplomatic forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya for three-way talks joined by Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.Kuleba
said "no progress" had been achieved on even a 24-hour ceasefire, expressing frustration that "it seems that there are other decision-makers
for this matter in Russia."He also repeated his vow that the country will not give in, saying "I want to repeat that Ukraine has not
surrendered, does not surrender, and will not surrender."He described the meeting as "difficult," accusing his Russian counterpart of
bringing "traditional narratives" about Ukraine to the table.He said that he would be ready to meet with Lavrov "again in this format if
there are prospects or a substantial discussion and for seeking solutions."Ukrainian and Russian delegations have also been meeting in
on those talks saying: "Today's meeting has confirmed that the Russian-Ukrainian format in Belarus has no alternative.""We are in favor of
to solve the Ukrainian crisis..
but the thing we realised is they must have added value and must not undermine the main track in Belarus."Images of the meeting showed the
Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian delegations sitting on each side of a 'U' shaped table, with each minister accompanied by just two other
officials.There was no indication that they had shaken hands ahead of the discussions.Hospital attackThe meeting took place against the
background of international outrage after an attack on a children's hospital in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol which, according to
Kyiv, killed at least three people, including a young girl.Kuleba said he wanted to emerge from the meeting with an agreement on a
humanitarian corridor from the besieged city of Mariupol but "unfortunately Minister Lavrov was not in a position to commit to it."Kuleba
said Lavrov "will correspond with respective authorities on this issue."Lavrov claimed the hospital was serving as "as a military base for
nationalists" from the radical Azov Battalion.He also accused the European Union and other countries of "dangerously" backing the supply of
arms to Ukraine.Asked by a Turkish reporter if Russia was planning to attack other nations, Lavrov replied "we don't plan to attack other
countries" and claimed "we did not attack Ukraine."He insisted that President Vladimir Putin launched the operation on Feb
24 as the situation in Ukraine "posed a direct threat to the Russian Federation."Multiple initiativesHost Cavusoglu acknowledged that the
meeting was "not easy" but said that the exchanges had been "very civilized" with voices never raised in anger.He said Kuleba had reaffirmed
that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was ready for a meeting with Putin and Lavrov had replied that Putin was not against it in principle."The
meeting was an important start
No one should expect miracles at one meeting," Cavusoglu said.The Turkey talks are one of a number of diplomatic initiatives
phoning the Kremlin chief."There is today a very slim hope and we need to seize it..
Kyiv has deployed in the conflict.But it is seeking to maintain good relations with Russia, on which Turkey depends heavily for gas imports
adding he hoped for a permanent ceasefire.
