Russia says studying Italy peace plan for Ukraine

"We have received it recently and are studying it," Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told reporters.

He declined to provide any details, saying Russia would comment at a later stage.

"It has not been discussed between Russia and Italy," he said in comments carried by Russian news agencies.

Talks between Russia and Ukraine to end the hostilities have essentially ground to a halt.

Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said Sunday that Russia was willing to resume negotiations but the onus was on Kyiv.

"Freezing the current negotiations and putting everything on pause is not our initiative," Rudenko said.

"We will be ready to resume as soon as Ukraine shows a constructive position and at least provides a reaction to the proposals submitted to it."

Talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations have been held regularly, both in person and via video-link, since the Russian military offensive began on February 24.

The Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers met for inconclusive talks in Turkey in March, followed by a meeting of the delegations in Istanbul, which also failed to bring about concrete results.

UK's Truss says West could arm Moldova
London (AFP) May 21, 2022 - Western allies are exploring long-term military backing for Ukraine that could encompass support for non-NATO member Moldova as well, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in an interview published Saturday.

Moscow "absolutely" poses a threat to Moldova as President Vladimir Putin seeks to restore a "greater Russia", she told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"How do we ensure that there is deterrence by denial, that Ukraine is permanently able to defend itself and how do we guarantee that happens? That's what we are working on at the moment," Truss said.

"And that also applies to other vulnerable states such as Moldova.

"Because again, the threat is broader from Russia, we also need to make sure that they are equipped to NATO standards."

A month ago, a series of blasts hit Moldova's Russian-backed separatist region of Transnistria, raising fears of spillover from the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

On May 4, European Council president Charles Michel pledged to increase EU military aid to Moldova, which applied to join the bloc in March.