Ukrainian troop withdrawal: Path to peace or propaganda?
Peace in Ukraine is possible after the withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from Donbas and Novorossiya (a term used in Russia for the internationally unrecognized: Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic – editor's note), Dmitry Peskov said, adding, "If Ukraine withdraws its troops from these four regions, then yes."
Much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is part of propaganda. Such reports form part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
What do you need to know?
- Dmitry Peskov, in a conversation with the French magazine "Le Point," emphasized that peace in Ukraine is possible only after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas and Novorossiya.
- Donbas and Novorossiya have been recognized by Russia as its integral parts, as recorded in the Russian constitution.
- Peskov argues that some of these territories are "still occupied by Ukrainian forces," which is an obstacle to achieving peace.
What are the conditions for peace in Ukraine?
"If Ukraine withdraws its troops from these four regions, then yes," said Peskov, responding to a question about the possibility of ending the conflict. The four regions the Kremlin spokesperson refers to are Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia oblasts.
Why are Donbas and Novorossiya crucial?
Peskov pointed out that Donbas and Novorossiya were incorporated into Russia following a referendum, and this change has been enshrined in the Russian Federation's constitution. He asserted that, from Russia's perspective, this status is both legally and practically established. According to him, if the Ukrainian army lays down its arms and withdraws, military operations would be halted immediately.
Will Americans withdraw from negotiations?
In an interview published Wednesday by "The Free Press," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that in the event of negotiation failures, the United States is ready to abandon its participation in the talks.
He suggested that if it becomes clear at some point that the sides are too far apart and progress is insufficient, there may be a need to shift focus to other priorities, given the numerous important issues unfolding globally. He also underscored that this is not considered their war.
