Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov arrives to attend security talks on soaring tensions over Ukraine, at the US permanent Mission, in Geneva, on Jan 10, 2022.
(DENIS BALIBOUSE / POOL / AFP)
MOSCOW / UNITED NATIONS / KYIV – Washington must stop escalating tensions if it wishes to normalize ties with Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday.
"They need to stop their escalation, both verbally and in terms of pumping the Kyiv regime with weapons," Ryabkov said, adding that the United States must also stop threatening Russia, according to Russian media reports.
"In the meantime, we are seeing a downward trend in relations," said Ryabkov, who faults the United States for the state of ties.
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"We regret this. However, this doesn't have any effect on our determination to work towards achieving the goals of the special military operation and adapt to the circumstances resulting from US sanctions," he said.
In this image from a video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, March 21, 2022. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE VIA AP)
Referendum in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv's compromises at peace talks with Russia would be put to a nationwide referendum in Ukraine, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Monday.
"I explained to all negotiating groups: when you talk about all these changes, and they can be historic, there is nowhere to go – we will have a referendum," Zelensky was quoted as saying in an interview with the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.
Zelensky emphasized that he stands ready for any compromises if they are supported by the Ukrainian people.
A draft resolution sponsored by Ukraine and other member states has been submitted and is being processed.
Paulina Kubiak, Spokesperson for UNGA president
On March 18, Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said a ceasefire, the withdrawal of troops and strict security guarantees with specific formulas are Ukraine's main demands at peace talks with Russia.
The fourth round of negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations started on March 14 via video link.
UN to vote again on Ukraine
The UN General Assembly will vote Wednesday on a draft resolution on Ukraine, the second such resolution since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, a spokesperson said Monday.
The 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly will be held after a letter requesting the resumption was received by UNGA President Abdulla Shahid, his spokesperson Paulina Kubiak told reporters in an email.
"A draft resolution sponsored by Ukraine and other member states has been submitted and is being processed," she said.
According to diplomatic sources, the new UNGA draft resolution focuses on the humanitarian situation, calling for the protection of civilians, medical personnel, aid workers, journalists, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure.
Moscow protests Biden's remarks
Russia on Monday protested US President Joe Biden's recent "unacceptable remarks" regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan on Monday and handed to him a demarche and a note of protest.
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Biden's harsh remarks on Putin have "put Russian-US relations on the verge of breaking," it said, warning that hostile actions against Russia will receive "a decisive and firm rebuff."
Russia bans Facebook, Instagram
A Moscow court ruled on Monday to ban Facebook and Instagram in Russia, labeling the parent company of the two social networks Meta Platforms Inc "extremist."
The Prosecutor General's Office of Russia said that the lawsuit was aimed at protecting Russians from "a violation of their rights," according to local media.
Meta has violated its own rules by allowing posts with violent speeches towards the Russian military and has ignored more than 4,500 requests to remove fake information on Russia's special military operation and calls for unauthorized rallies, the prosecutors said.
The court ruling will come into effect immediately but will not affect WhatsApp messenger.
Meta is also banned from doing business in Russia as the Prosecutor General's Office and Russia's Federal Security Service accused the US giant of acting against Russia and its armed forces.
