No "Full Surrender"? Kremlin: Ceasefire Only if All Aid Stops
Cessation of Hostilities Conditional on Termination of Weapons Shipments (from Russia, implied)
In casual conversation, Moscow has been bombarding Ukraine, claiming a desire for peace. Now, they've set conditions for a truce - to allegedly prevent Kyiv from gaining an advantage. Kremlin spokesman Peskov drops hints as to why Russia has little interest in a truce.
Russia wants an end to support, whether weapons or aid, from the U.S and EU as a prerequisite for a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war. "Without that, there'll be an upper hand for Ukraine," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov shared with American broadcaster ABC. Ukraine, he says, would take advantage of a ceasefire to conduct "total mobilization" - bringing new recruits to the front, training new personnel, and giving current fighters a rest. "Why should we give Ukraine such an advantage?"
Peskov doesn't mention that a ceasefire would also allow Russian troops a chance to restore themselves. Fact is, Peskov also implies another reason for the Kremlin's reluctance towards a truce: Russia seems to be making headway in its offensive and holds the initiative, he said.
The Kremlin spokesman also expressed hope that U.S President Donald Trump would continue to influence Ukraine and nudge Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow. He accuses Ukraine of avoiding negotiations. Both sides accuse each other of not truly seeking an end to hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy now regularly calls for the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Trump as a precondition for negotiations to settle the conflict.
European Leaders in Kyiv: "One Word from Putin and It's Over"
Zelenskyy gains support from the leaders of Germany, France, Poland, and Britain, who are currently engaging with Ukraine. They demand a 30-day ceasefire in the war and are willing to aid in talks between Russia and Ukraine. Now, Russia is urged to agree to a lasting ceasefire that would allow for a genuine peace treaty, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday in Brussels. "The ball's now in Moscow's court, nowhere else."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also supports the U.S call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. The EU backs this without conditions to pave the way for peace talks, von der Leyen said on Saturday. Russia's turn. The EU is ready to maintain "strong pressure" on Moscow and impose "further pain-inducing sanctions" in case of a ceasefire breach. The aim is a "just and lasting peace for Ukraine," imperative for security and stability across the entire continent.
Putin previously proposed a ceasefire for Easter and the celebrations marking the end of World War II. The current three-day ceasefire ends at midnight Moscow time (23:00 CET). Battles have repeatedly been reported since the ceasefire was implemented the past two days.
- Ukraine Conflict
- Russia
- Military Aid
- Vladimir Putin
- Peace Negotiations
- USA
- European Union
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the recent events in Ukraine, particularly in relation to the war-and-conflicts, and has urged Russia to agree to a lasting ceasefire that would allow for genuine peace negotiations.
- Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, has supposedly hinted at Russia's reluctance towards a truce in Ukraine, stating that without an end to support, whether weapons or aid, from the US and EU, there will be an upper hand for Ukraine, and suggesting that Ukraine would take advantage of a ceasefire to strengthen its military positions.
- The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has supported the US call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, without conditions, to pave the way for peace talks in the Ukraine conflict. This stance has been echoed by the leaders of Germany, France, Poland, and Britain, who are willing to aid in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
- Despite Vladimir Putin's previous proposal for a ceasefire for Easter and the celebrations marking the end of World War II, battles have repeatedly been reported since the ceasefire was implemented, raising questions about Russia's commitment to a truce, and the general-news coverage of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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