The Iraqi Foreign Minister announced today, Monday, April 17, 2023, his country's readiness to assist in order to "stop the firing," which paves the way for "negotiations" between Russia and Ukraine, during the visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to Baghdad.

The Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein welcomed, in a joint press conference, the visit of his Ukrainian counterpart and described the visit as "important".

He said, "This visit is important for the future of the relationship between Iraq and Ukraine, and also for Iraq's future role in assisting Ukraine and Russia."

Hussein also confirmed that his country is ready "to help both parties first to reach a ceasefire, and second to start negotiations," within the framework of the contact group affiliated with the Arab League in which Iraq has been participating for a year.

The Iraqi minister said: "We repeatedly affirm that we are against war and believe in dialogue and negotiations... but dialogue and negotiations require two parties. When both parties reach the conviction that it is necessary to start dialogue, Baghdad will be at the service of both parties."

For his part, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister ruled out the success of any mediation initiative at the present time.

Kuleba also said: "You cannot say that you support peace while trying to invade more territories, commit more atrocities, and destroy villages and towns."

He added: "Whatever the Russian officials say (...), Russia today wants war... achieving peace efforts will take time."

He continued: "Russia must accept something very simple.. which is to stop the war and withdraw from Ukrainian territories, and this will create space for diplomacy," pointing out that "restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity" represents the "cornerstone" of any peace effort.