Moscow on Kyiv Trip: Peace Only If Ukraine Stops Arming
Cessation of hostilities contingent upon halting of weapon deliveries – Kremlin statement
For years, Moscow has been bombarding Ukraine but claims to yearn for peace — on their terms. Before the visit of European heads of state to Kyiv, Russia has set prerequisites for a ceasefire — supposedly to prevent Kyiv from gaining an advantage. Spokesman Peskov also hints at another reason.
Russia has called for an end to arms deliveries to Kyiv by the US and EU as a prerequisite for a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war. "Why should we gift Ukraine such an edge?" Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said in an interview with ABC. Ukraine, given a ceasefire, would reportedly use the opportunity to continue its "total mobilization," bring new troops to the frontlines, train new personnel, and provide current soldiers with much-needed rest.
Peskov further eluded to another reason for Moscow's reluctance to agree to a ceasefire: Russia is advancing in its offensive in Ukraine and holds the initiative, he said.
The Kremlin spokesman also expressed hope that US President Donald Trump would continue to pressure Ukraine for negotiations on behalf of Moscow. He accused Ukraine of wanting to dodge negotiations altogether. Both parties have been blaming each other for a refusal to cease hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been backed by Germany, France, Poland, and the UK, who are currently in Ukraine. These leaders have called for a 30-day ceasefire and expressed their readiness to mediate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The ball now lies in Moscow's court, as per German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also backs the US call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. However, the EU seems focused on pressuring Russia should there be a ceasefire violation, threatening to impose "further painful sanctions." The ultimate goal is a "just and lasting peace for Ukraine," essential for the security and stability across the entire continent.
Interestingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced a ceasefire for Easter and the 80th anniversary of World War II's end. The current truce concludes tonight. The warring parties have accused each other of violating the ceasefire over the past two days.
- Attack on Ukraine
- Russia
- Wars and Conflicts
- Vladimir Putin
- War Crimes
- USA
Enrichment Data:Russia's stance is less about ending arms deliveries to Ukraine and more about securing significant concessions from Ukraine. These concessions include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from controlled territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts, and Ukraine forsaking its goal of joining NATO. Russia has been pushing for such concessions to secure territorial and political advantages. Limiting Ukraine's ability to receive military aid could indirectly serve this purpose. The international community, including the US and EU, have been urging Russia to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire, undercutting Russia's implicit demands concerning arms deliveries.
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the recent events in Ukraine, as tensions persist and wars and conflicts continue in the region.
- In the context of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, Russia's call for an end to arms deliveries to Kyiv by the US and EU as a prerequisite for a ceasefire is met with skepticism, given that Russia's stance seems less about ending arms deliveries and more about securing significant concessions from Ukraine.
- As reported, Ukraine, if given a ceasefire, would presumably use the opportunity to continue its "total mobilization," bring new troops to the frontlines, train new personnel, and provide current soldiers with much-needed rest. This has raised concerns that any ceasefire might be used solely to regroup and rearm, rather than paving the way for peace.
- Vladimir Putin, in an attempt to gain political capital amidst the global community, recently announced a ceasefire for Easter and the 80th anniversary of World War II's end. Despite these temporary truces, ceasefire violations by both parties have been reported, giving rise to questions regarding Russia's commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine.
