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What did 3 May 2022 show about war diplomacy?
Summary
A look back at the diplomatic and sanctions moves reported around 3 May 2022, as Moscow signalled readiness to talk and Kyiv pressed for an oil embargo.
What was the state of diplomacy on 3 May 2022, in the third month of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine? The reports from that day and the days before it show talks under strain, sanctions debates sharpening and fighting continuing in the east.
Putin says talks can continue
On 3 May 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron that Russia was ready to continue peace negotiations with Ukraine. The assurance came amid fears that talks between the two countries had stalled.
On the same day Putin signed a decree that would allow the Russian government to terminate business and exports with entities and people it deemed "unfriendly". It was part of the sanctions-related exchange between Moscow and the countries opposing the invasion.
Kyiv presses for an oil embargo
On 1 May 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, that the next EU sanctions package against Russia must include an oil embargo. Otherwise, he said, the West would be backing Ukraine with one hand while financing the Russian military machine with the other.
The same day, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany might lift sanctions on Russia if it withdrew its troops from Ukraine completely.
Washington's signals
On 1 May 2022, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Kyiv and met Ukrainian diplomats. Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, called the visit symbolic and said Kyiv expected Congress to pass a bill providing an additional $33bn in support for Ukraine over the coming months.
Also on 1 May, Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said a visit to Ukraine by President Joe Biden was only a matter of time.
Tension with Hungary
On 2 May 2022, Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, accused Hungary of having advance knowledge of the Russian invasion. He said Hungary had been warned by Putin and had plans to annex parts of western Ukraine.
Fighting near Izium
The diplomatic activity unfolded alongside continued combat. On 1 May 2022, Russian artillery fire near Izium in the Kharkiv region killed three people and wounded eight. Oleh Synehubov, head of the regional military administration, said Russian forces were trying to advance towards the settlements of Udy, Prudianka and Stary Saltiv.
Taken together, the reports from 1 to 3 May 2022 show Moscow offering to keep talking while Kyiv pushed Western partners for tougher economic measures and the war continued on the ground.
