Russia-Ukraine peace talks to continue despite Bucha atrocities: Prez Zelensky

(Photo credit: Reuters)

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the talks between Ukraine and Russia will continue despite the evidence of "atrocities carried out by the Russian military", the Ukrinform news agency reported.

"In any case, we must find even small opportunities for the negotiation process. Without this, I think it is difficult to end the war," Zelensky was quoted as saying in an interview with Turkey`s Haberturk television channel on Wednesday.

He emphasised the importance of the mediation mission of other countries, including Turkey, in the talks, Xinhua news agency reported.

At least 280 people, including children, were found dead in Bucha, some 28 km northwest of Kyiv after the Ukrainian army retook control of the town from the Russian military.

Zelensky earlier called the killings of civilians in Bucha a "war crime".

The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday refuted Kyiv`s accusation of the alleged killing of civilians in the settlement of Bucha in Ukraine`s Kyiv region.

"All photographs and video materials published by the Kyiv regime, allegedly evidencing some kind of `crimes` committed by Russian military personnel in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region, are another provocation," the Ministry said in a statement.

It said that during the time the settlement was under the control of the Russian forces, not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions, adding that "all Russian units completely withdrew from Bucha on March 30."