Difficult negotiations between Moscow, Kiev and Germany to supply Ukraine with Strela missiles

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of obstructing talks with Kyiv and the Ukrainians by "changing their position repeatedly," while a Ukrainian negotiator declared that negotiations between his country and Russia are "difficult" because "the Ukrainian side has clear and principled positions."

Ukrainian negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak announced Wednesday that negotiations between his country and Russia are "difficult" because "the Ukrainian side has clear and principled positions."

He pointed out that the negotiations, which resumed on March 14, are continuing "on a permanent basis, via the Internet."

A short time ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the United States of obstructing "difficult" talks with Kyiv and the Ukrainians by "repeatedly changing their position."

"It is difficult to get rid of the impression that our American colleagues are holding (Ukrainians) by the hand," Lavrov said during a speech to students.

"The Americans simply assume that ending this process quickly is not good for them," he added, about a month after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

He continued, "Western countries want to play the role of mediators. We do not oppose this, but we have red lines."

Ruble for gas

In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will only accept payments in rubles for gas delivery to "unfriendly countries", including all members of the European Union, after imposing severe sanctions on it for its invasion of Ukraine.

"I decided to implement a set of measures to make payments for gas supplies to unfriendly countries in Russian rubles," Putin said during a government meeting, broadcast on television, and directed the implementation of the changes within a week.

German missiles

In another context, German Foreign Minister Annallina Birbock said that more Strela missiles are on their way to Ukraine after delays in deliveries.

Those missiles were in the stocks of the former communist East German Army. The Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted Germany to break an unprecedented policy of not sending weapons to conflict areas. But the Ukrainian government was frustrated by the delay.

"I can clearly say that more shipments of Strela missiles are on the way," Bierbock told the German parliament.

"We're one of the biggest arms suppliers in this situation, and that doesn't make us proud, but that's what we have to do to help Ukraine," she added.

It also said that the first flight to transport Ukrainian refugees from Moldova to Germany would take off on Friday or Saturday.