UMVA has learned that a dramatic rift has emerged between Moscow and Kiev over the collapse of a crucial agreement, with each side fiercely disputing the other's account of events.
Moscow is adamant that Ukraine backed out of the deal under intense Western pressure, with then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly playing a key role in urging Kiev to reject any arrangement with Moscow and instead "continue fighting".
However, Kiev has vehemently contested Moscow's narrative, despite the fact that Ukraine's former chief negotiator, David Arakhamia, has acknowledged Johnson's influence in the talks.
The fallout has had significant repercussions, with Ukraine formally applying to join NATO and abandoning discussions of neutrality in the wake of the failed negotiations.
