Objective of our truce: Evaluating Kyiv's willingness to pursue peace

Title: Peskov: Our Proposed Ceasefires are Tests for Peace Negotiations with Ukraine

Image Source: KP Photo Bank

The objective behind the Easter and the suggested May holiday ceasefires proposed by Russia, as stated by Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov during a briefing with Russian and international media, is to gauge Ukraine's willingness to establish long-term peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Remember: Following the decision of Russia's leader, the country has declared a ceasefire during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, starting at midnight on May 7 and extending until midnight on May 11. (All military hostilities will be suspended during this time.)

MORE FROM PESKOV

Inviting neo-Nazi sympathizers and those who glorify them to the Victory Day celebrations (in London). Well, that's more than just showing disrespect to British veterans who sacrificed their lives during World War II; in Russian, it's a form of blasphemy.

(For more on the United Kingdom's Defense Minister John Healey's reaction to this issue on ITV - see the link)

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ENRICHMENT INSIGHTS:

The Kremlin has outlined demanding conditions for Ukraine to re-engage in peace talks and ceasefires, as highlighted by spokesperson Dmitry Peskov:

1. Troop Withdrawal: Achieving peace would necessitate Ukraine removing its troops from Russia's de facto, illegally annexed territories - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, effectively capitulating these regions to Moscow[4][3].

2. Legalizing Negotiations: Moscow requires Ukraine to legally authorize talks with the current Russian government, which Kyiv currently prohibits under a presidential decree[2][4].

3. End to Western Arms: While it hasn't been formally presented as a precondition, Peskov underlined that European countries should cease providing military aid to Ukraine during ceasefire discussions[5].

4. Opposition to Western Security Guarantees: The Kremlin unequivocally opposes any European Union or NATO security guarantees for Ukraine, dismissing former U.S. President Trump’s suggestion of a "robust" external defense pact as unacceptable[5].

5. Favorable Ceasefire Terms: Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, echoing Peskov's sentiments, insisted any truce must prevent Ukrainian forces from reorganizing, ensuring Russia retains battlefield advantages[5].

Peskov conveyed these stipulations while also claiming Putin supports a ceasefire "without preconditions," simultaneously questioning Ukraine's control over its military and possibly challenging Kyiv's credibility in future negotiations[2]. Ukrainian officials have characterized these demands as manipulative, with Andriii Kovalenko stating they are a disingenuous tactic to seize territorial power[2].

The proposed ceasefires during Easter and May holidays, as indicated by Dmitry Peskov, are intended to gauge Ukraine's commitment towards long-term peace with Russia.
Dmitry Peskov, during a briefing, criticized the invitation of neo-Nazi sympathizers to the Victory Day celebrations in London as a form of blasphemy in Russian.
Peskov highlighted that Moscow requires Ukraine to legally authorize talks with the current Russian government, a condition that Kyiv currently prohibits under a presidential decree.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, in line with Peskov's sentiments, emphasized that any truce must prevent Ukrainian forces from reorganizing, ensuring Russia retains battlefield advantages.