26 Feb 2022 18:29

After Kyiv's refusal to negotiate, all Russian military units ordered to resume offensive along all axes - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that the Russian special operation in Ukraine was halted temporarily on Friday after Kyiv signaled its willingness to negotiate.

"After statements by the Kyiv regime yesterday that it was ready for negotiations, combat activities along the key axes of the operation were halted," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday.

"After the Ukrainian side rejected a negotiating process, all units were given orders today to develop the offensive along all axes in line with the operation plan," Konashenkov said at a press briefing on Saturday.