Kremlin rejects NATO advances, insists on diplomatic hurdles
Russia cannot allow NATO infrastructure to be near its borders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared, commenting on Ukraine's potential membership in the Alliance. He also added that Russia will not agree to the presence of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is doing everything possible to resolve the situation in Ukraine diplomatically, stated the spokesman for the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, during an interview with ABC.
But in conditions when the same Ukraine refuses dialogue and, moreover, legally prohibits such dialogue for itself, we continue the special military operation to ensure our interests, Peskov said.
In his opinion, resolving the conflict in Ukraine "is more complicated than signing a single document." According to him, "the process of reaching an agreement is full of minute details, each crucial for the future of Russia and Ukraine."
Peskov reiterated that Russia cannot allow NATO infrastructure to be near its borders. He also added that Russia will not agree to the presence of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Ukraine proposes a ceasefire
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that it was agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire would come into effect starting Monday.
In response to his call, on the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Russian leader organised a press conference at the Kremlin. He was nearly an hour late. One of the topics was the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian leader proposed "direct talks" with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday, 15 May.
These events prompted a reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the intensification of efforts for peace between Russia and Ukraine. "A big week is coming," he announced on Truth Social, emphasising the importance of the upcoming peace talks.
Kremlin refuses. Putin wants to keep fighting
However, since Sunday morning, the Kremlin has been conducting a disinformation operation. Moscow does not agree that there should first be a ceasefire followed by talks.
Putin made it clear: first talks about the causes of the conflict, and only then discussion about the ceasefire – emphasised Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
