Ukraine: 'Russia wants war,' says Kiev, skeptical of peace efforts

Europe 1 with AFP 16:25 p.m., April 17, 2023, modified at 16:28 p.m., April 17, 2023

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, visiting Iraq on Monday, was sceptical about the chances of success of peace efforts, believing that "Russia wants war". "Today Russia wants war. It will take time for peace efforts," said Dmytro Kuleba, whose country has been under attack by Russia since February 2022. "You cannot say that you are in favor of peace while trying to conquer more territory, committing more atrocities, destroying villages and towns," said Dmytro Kuleba, at a press conference in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein.

Key takeaways:

- Ukraine skeptical of peace efforts

- A discussion between Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday

- Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza sentenced to 25 years in prison, a sentence of rare severity that illustrates the relentless repression in Russia against critics of the offensive in Ukraine

Offers of mediation between the two countries have multiplied in recent weeks. On Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had discussed joint mediation with China and the United Arab Emirates, accusing the United States and Europe of prolonging the conflict.

A discussion on Saturday between Macron and Zelensky

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, the "next steps in the organization of a summit for peace". "Russia must accept something very simple: stop the war and withdraw from Ukrainian territory. This will create space for diplomacy," Kuleba said, recalling that "the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity" was "the cornerstone" of any peace effort.

Iraq has also offered mediation, after unprecedented talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia launched in 2021. The two major regional rivals finally announced in March a resumption of diplomatic relations under the aegis of Beijing. On Monday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein assured that Iraq was ready to "help" Russia and Ukraine "to first reach a ceasefire, then to start discussions". "When both sides are convinced that it is necessary to launch dialogue, Baghdad will be at the service of both sides," he added.

First visit in 11 years by a Ukrainian foreign minister to Iraq

This is the first visit to Iraq in 11 years by a Ukrainian foreign minister, and the first trip to Baghdad by Dmytro Kuleba since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It follows the visit to Baghdad in February of the head of Russian diplomacy Sergey Lavrov.

>> READ ALSO – In the eyes of the world, Ukraine is not in Europe

Supported by its Western partners, Ukraine is trying to consolidate its diplomatic support among emerging countries, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. In October Dmytro Kouleba launched the first African tour in the history of his country - cut short because of the war.

Opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza sentenced to 25 years in prison

A Moscow court on Monday sentenced opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison, a sentence of rare severity that illustrates Russia's relentless crackdown on critics of the offensive in Ukraine. The sentence handed down to Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was one of the last major critics of the Kremlin not to be behind bars or exiled abroad, is the heaviest imposed on an opponent in the country's recent history.

After a closed trial, the court announced that it found the opponent guilty of "high treason", spreading "false information" about the Russian army and illegal work for an "undesirable" organization, according to an AFP journalist. As a result, he was sentenced to a cumulative sentence of 25 years' imprisonment in a harsh-regime penal colony, which implies stricter conditions of incarceration. Or what the Public Prosecutor's Office had requested.

Handcuffed in the cage allotted to the accused, and dressed in blue jeans, a black T-shirt and a gray jacket, the 41-year-old opponent welcomed the verdict with a smile, before urging his supporters to write to him in prison.

Journalist Gershkovich, imprisoned in Russia, is "in good health", according to US ambassador

Journalist Evan Gershkovich, jailed in Russia on espionage charges, is "in good health," U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy said Monday after visiting him in his detention center for the first time. "I visited Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal in Lefortovo prison... he is healthy and remains strong," she said, quoted on the Twitter account of her embassy, calling once again for the release of the American journalist, on the eve of the appeal hearing on his detention.