Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is applauded after addressing a Joint Sitting of both Dail and Seanad Eireann (the Houses of the Oireachtas, Irish Parliament) in the Dail Chamber of Leinster House, in Dublin., Ireland, April 6, 2022. (MAXELLS / PA VIA AP) g
KYIEV/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST/WASHINGTON/ATHENS – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said talks between Ukraine and Russia will continue despite the evidence of "atrocities carried out by the Russian military", according to media reports.
"In any case, we must find even small opportunities for the negotiation process. Without this, I think it is difficult to end the war," the Ukrinform news agency quoted Zelensky as saying in an interview with Turkey's Haberturk television channel.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of the mediation mission of other countries, including Turkey, in the talks.
At least 280 people, including children, were found dead in Bucha, some 28 km northwest of Kyiv after the Ukrainian army retook control of the town from the Russian military.
READ MORE: Ukraine retook 'whole Kiev region', says deputy defense chief
The Ukrainian leader earlier called the killings of civilians in Bucha a "war crime".
I know (a ceasefire) is not going to happen by itself, so I invited Putin, the presidents of Ukraine and France, and the German chancellor to Budapest, the sooner the better.
Viktor Orban, Prime Minister, Hungary
The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday refuted Kiev's accusation of alleged killing of civilians in the settlement of Bucha in Ukraine's Kiev region.
"All photographs and video materials published by the Kiev regime, allegedly evidencing some kind of 'crimes' committed by Russian military personnel in the city of Bucha, Kiev region, are another provocation," the ministry said in a statement.
It said that during the time the settlement was under control of the Russian forces, not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions, adding that "all Russian units completely withdrew from Bucha on March 30."
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Russia and Ukraine are continuing negotiations but there remains a long way to go, stressing that Moscow would like Kyiv to be more active during the negotiations.
The withdrawal of Russian troops from the Kiev region was to facilitate the peace talks, he told France's LCI broadcaster earlier in the day.
Trade ties cut
The Ukrainian president instructed his government to formalize the cessation of Ukraine's trade with Russia, the presidential press service said in a statement Wednesday.
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In fact, import and export operations between Ukraine and Russia have been completely terminated since the start of the conflict, the statement said.
A journalist takes video of a mass grave in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, April 3, 2022. (RODRIGO ABD / AP)
More US sanctions on Russia
The United States on Wednesday imposed additional sanctions on Russia for its military operation in Ukraine, targeting the country's major financial institutions and two daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to a factsheet from the White House detailing the measures, US President Joe Biden will sign an executive order banning new investment in Russia by Americans no matter where they live.
Additionally, Americans will no longer be allowed to conduct business transactions with major Russian state-owned enterprises, whose assets subject to US jurisdiction will be frozen. The Department of the Treasury were set to announce the names of these entities on Thursday.
Hungarian PM invites Putin to summit
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday invited Putin to a summit meeting in Budapest to make progress toward an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Orban said that he spoke on the phone with Putin, who called him Wednesday morning to congratulate him on his election victory.
"I know (a ceasefire) is not going to happen by itself, so I invited Putin, the presidents of Ukraine and France, and the German chancellor to Budapest, the sooner the better," Orban said.
Journalists walk inside a destroyed warehouse for storing food, after an attack from Russia 12 days ago in Brovary, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, March 29, 2022. (RODRIGO ABD / AP)
Greece sanctions 12 Russian diplomats
The Greek Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced that 12 members of the Russian diplomatic and consular missions in Greece have been declared as personae non gratae.
The decision was made in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the Russian ambassador had been earlier notified of the decision.
The statement didn't reveal any specific time schedule about the diplomats' departure.
