Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out relinquishing control of Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed, setting a major red line as Russian and U.S. officials met in Istanbul for talks aimed at normalizing relations.
“The territories that have become subjects of the Russian Federation, which are inscribed in our country’s constitution, are an inseparable part of our country,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“This is undeniable and non-negotiable,” he said during a daily briefing.
Months after launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia declared the annexation of four Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. It also annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.
news
Russian and U.S. Officials Meet in Istanbul for Embassy Talks
Read more
Ukraine and most international observers have dismissed the annexations as illegal, a position Kyiv reiterated in response to Peskov’s remarks.
“Ukraine has its internationally recognized borders,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhy said.
“It’s really laughable to see them referring to their constitution” to justify the annexations, he added.
Russian forces control most of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions but only parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Moscow also occupies part of Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that his army lacks the resources to reclaim all occupied territories by force but has suggested that some land could be returned through diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Russian and U.S. officials met in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss embassy-related issues as part of efforts to stabilize ties.
The talks, held at the U.S. consul general’s residence, followed this month’s first high-level meeting between the two nuclear powers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today? Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy.
