Blunt Response from Kremlin as Diplomats Push for Ukraine Ceasefire
Medvedev's take: Shelving peacemaking proposals on the ice
In the heart of Moscow, Ukraine's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, effective from Monday, has hit a brick wall. Dmitri Medvedev, a prominent figure in Russia's Security Council, took to English on a renowned platform to express his opinion, wielding an unconventional phrase aimed at the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting in Kyiv, attended by Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz: "You can shove your peace plans up your ass."
This tactless remark was a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, who, during talks with Merz alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, threatened sanctions against Russia if it continued to avoid a ceasefire. In fact, Merz stated that another sanctions package was already being prepared in the EU.
Criticizing this aggressive stance, Medvedev questioned the wisdom of threatening Russia with a ceasefire ultimatum that essentially forces Moscow to choose between relenting or facing more sanctions. Furthermore, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov echoed Medvedev's concerns, pointing out that Europe's statements are often more confrontational than diplomatic. Peskov did not directly address the Europeans' demand for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
Before the ultimatum was issued, Peskov clarified that Russia would not be swayed by sanctions and that a ceasefire should not provide Kyiv an opportunity to reorganize militarily. Peskov identified the halt of Western arms deliveries to Ukraine as a precondition for a 30-day ceasefire.
As per the latest information, Russia has exploited its unilateral Victory Day ceasefire to pin the blame on Ukraine for the lack of progress toward a longer-term ceasefire and peace agreement. On May 8, 2025, Russia imposed a unilateral ceasefire, but both Ukrainian and Russian sources have accused each other of violating it, particularly in the Kherson direction.
When it comes to sanctions, details on recent threats or responses from the Kremlin concerning sanctions related to the proposed ceasefire violations are not explicitly available. Sanctions are a common topic in discussions concerning ceasefire violations and broader conflict dynamics.
Sources: ntv.de, gut/dpa/AFP
- Russia
- Kremlin
- Dmitri Medvedev
- Dmitri Peskow
- Ceasefire
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Volodymyr Selenskyj
- Emmanuel Macron
- Friedrich Merz
- Keir Starmer
- Donald Tusk
- United Kingdom
- Poland
- France
- Sanctions
- Germany
- Despite a proposal for a ceasefire from Ukraine, the Kremlin, headed by Dmitri Medvedev, displayed an unyielding stance, speaking out against the peace plans through a blunt statement on a popular platform.
- In response to the threat of sanctions from the EU, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov shared concerns mirroring Medvedev's, questioning the diplomatic approach of Europe's statements during the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine.
- Medvedev, a member of Russia's Security Council, accused the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting in Kyiv - attended by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among others - of issuing a ceasefire ultimatum that would place Moscow between relenting or facing more sanctions.
- Moving forward, the Commission has also shown keen interest in the protection of workers from the risks related to ionizing radiation, adopting a proposal for a directive that may have broader implications in relation to the politics surrounding Russia and Ukraine.
