'Russia doesn’t desire an end to the war' - Liubov Abravitova, Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa

Liubov Abravitova, the Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, joins 702's Bongani Bingwa.

Listen below:

More than three years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two sides appear no closer to reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia met in Istanbul on Monday, exchanging over 1,000 prisoners and agreeing to return the remains of thousands of soldiers killed in battle, but no ceasefire was reached.

Russia’s demands at the talks included Ukraine withdrawing from four of its regions, abandoning NATO ambitions, and several other political concessions, terms Kyiv firmly rejects.

Hours before the talks, Ukraine launched a major drone strike deep inside Russia, destroying key military assets.  

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"We don't see the desire and the determination of Russia to bring this war to an end."

- Liubov Abravitova, Ukrainian Ambassador to South Africa

Despite the sides agreeing on a large-scale swap of captured soldiers, Abravitova cautions that this cannot be the sole purpose of the talks.

"It cannot be the only object or outcome of the meetings."

- Liubov Abravitova, Ukrainian Ambassador to South Africa

ALSO READ: Ukrainian mayor skeptical of ceasefire talks: ‘We know Putin, he always lies’

Of Ukraine's so-called 'Pearl Harbour' drone attack against Russian war plans on Sunday, Abravitova says the 'brilliant' offensive was aimed at limiting Moscow's ability to target innocent Ukrainians.

"It was a brilliant operation that took place exclusively on military targets, specifically equipment that the Russians use to strike against peaceful Ukrainians."

- Liubov Abravitova, Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa

"It serves to prove to the world, but first to the enemy, that Ukraine is serious about standing for its territorial integrity and its sovereignty."

- Liubov Abravitova, Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation from Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa.