Kremlin claims it's not delaying Ukraine peace talks - But conditions remain
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman (Getty Images)
Russia says it does not want to drag out peace talks with Ukraine, while continuing to pursue its "goals," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov said that Russia is "grateful" for the efforts by Washington and US President Donald Trump's team to facilitate talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin spokesman, they are currently working to agree on the dates for the third round of negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. Until now, the parties have been implementing the agreements reached during the second round of talks, and once all previous humanitarian arrangements have been fulfilled, it will be time for a new meeting.
"Nobody here is dragging anything out. We are focused on achieving the objectives we've set — and those we aim to accomplish during the special military operation — by political and diplomatic means. So we have no interest in prolonging anything," he added.
Russia's ultimatums
Russia has so far shown no constructive position on peace negotiations with Ukraine.
After Ukraine proposed a ceasefire of at least 30 days in its memorandum, Moscow submitted its own document in response, laying out conditions for a truce and the end of the war.
Specifically, for the ceasefire to take effect, Moscow demands that Ukrainian defenders begin withdrawing from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Complete troop withdrawal from those areas is also a precondition for ending the war.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, this Russian "peace plan" contradicts the UN Charter, common sense, and Ukraine's Constitution.
