Zelensky says Russian peace talk positions "more realistic"March 16, 2022 - 10:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday, March 16 peace talks were beginning to "sound more realistic" — as he, along with U.S. and U.K. officials, reported Putin's offensive was stalling even as attacks on Kyiv and Mariupol were intensifying, Axios reports. "Efforts are still needed, patience is needed," Zelensky said during a televised address as the invasion entered a third week. "Any war ends with an agreement," added Zelensky, who thanked US. President Joe Biden "and all the friends of Ukraine" in the U.S. for a $13.6 billion aid package ahead of his congressional address Wednesday. Ukrainian presidential aid Mykhailo Podolyak, a member of the peace talks delegation, tweeted that "fundamental contradictions" remained as peace talks with Russian officials were expected to continue Wednesday. "But there is certainly room for compromise," he added. Loud explosions were reported in Kyiv on Wednesday morning. Kyiv entered a 35-hour curfew on Tuesday night, hours after at least four people were killed in a Russian airstrike on an apartment in Ukraine's capital. Fresh attacks were also reported in Mariupol, where local officials said Russian forces had seized a hospital and took some 500 people hostage. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |