Putin’s team claims to back diplomacy — then blames war on a new excuse
Photo: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, says the Kremlin supports diplomacy in resolving the war. At the same time, Moscow complained that Ukraine had allegedly rejected the possibility of dialogue.
Peskov was asked how relations between Russia and Ukraine will be built after the war is over. "This is a theoretical question right now," he replied. "First, we need to resolve the problem, and we need to record the fulfillment of the tasks of the special military operation."
He complained that Moscow had allegedly offered a dialogue to Ukraine, but the offer, he said, was rejected.
"We have repeatedly said that it is better for us to do this through political and diplomatic means. The SMO continues when these means have become impossible, when all proposals for dialogue have been rejected both in Ukraine and in the West," Peskov said.
He added that "first, we need to resolve the situation, and then think about how to build relations."
Russia's demands on Ukraine
In 2025, Ukraine and Russia held two rounds of talks in Istanbul. During the meeting, the Russian delegation voiced unacceptable demands to end the war against Ukraine.
RBC-Ukraine's sources said that Russia demanded that Ukraine accept neutral status (meaning no NATO membership), give up five regions (including those territories not controlled by Russia), withdraw troops from these territories, refuse reparations, and agree to “protect the rights of Russian speakers.”
Later, Putin voiced a new demand to end the war. The Kremlin demands that Ukraine recognize the so-called referendums in the occupied territories.
