Moscow [Russia], May 16: Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky face to face for peace talks is "further evidence" of the Russian president "dragging his feet" to delay a ceasefire, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.
Starmer on Thursday accused Moscow's leader of "standing in the way" of a truce after his no-show in Turkey, where his Ukrainian counterpart had said he was prepared to have direct discussions about the war.
Instead of Putin, the Kremlin is sending the president's aide Vladimir Medinsky and deputy defence and foreign ministers.
Asked what his message was to the Russian leader during a visit to Albania on Thursday, Starmer said: "Let me take this head on, because what's happened today is further evidence that it's Putin who is dragging his feet.
"It is Putin who is causing the delay in a ceasefire. Ukraine has long been clear, several months ago now, that they would have a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, and we have long said that it's Putin who is standing in the way of that peace." (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune