Ukraine Negotiator: Dismisses remarks by Russia's Lavrov that Ukrainian proposal was “unacceptable”

Ukrainian Negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak on Thursday dismissed comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier in the day that Ukraine's recent draft peace deal proposal to Russia contained "unacceptable" elements, reported Reuters. 

Podolyak told Reuters that Lavrov is not directly involved in the negotiations process and therefore his statements are "of purely propagandistic significance". Lavrov's comments should be seen in the light of Russian attempts to divert global attention from recent events in Bucha, he added.

The Russian military stands accused of committing widespread war crimes against civilians in Bucha, Ukraine and many other parts of the country.