Podolyak: 'Our Positions Are Unchanged'

Mikhailo Podolyak, Ukraine's chief negotiator at the ceasefire talks with Russia has addressed speculation that Ukraine and Russia are edging closer to reaching a ceasefire deal following comments on Russian state media.

• Podolyak: 'Negotiation status. The statements of the Russian side are only their requesting positions. All statements are intended, inter alia, to provoke tension in the media. Our positions are unchanged. Ceasefire, withdrawal of troops & strong security guarantees with concrete formulas.'
• Earlier today Russia's IFX and TASS reported comments attributed to Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky: 'Russian negotiator Medinsky says Moscow and Kyiv are 'halfway there' on issue of Ukraine's demilitarisation.'
• It is unlikely that Kyiv will agree to 'demilitarisation' and it is unclear right now what security guarantees would be acceptable to Ukraine.