Russia rejects peace talks as military gains ground in Donbas
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, spoke harshly and without scruples about the possibility of peace in Ukraine. In his opinion, a ceasefire is not currently feasible, and the Russian Federation demands guarantees and has further claims against Kyiv. "A ceasefire does not suit us," said one of Vladimir Putin's close associates.
The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for well over a thousand days, and it will soon be three years since Vladimir Putin’s forces launched an attack on Kyiv. The Russians were recently open to making peace and reaching an agreement with the Ukrainians, but now such prospects are off the table. Sergey Lavrov, head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has clearly expressed Moscow's puzzling demands.
A ceasefire does not suit us. A ceasefire is a road to nowhere, said one of Vladimir Putin's close associates.
Moscow is seeing slight successes at the front and is moving closer to securing control over the whole of the Donbas region. The progress in this war of attrition has led the Russians to no longer wish to negotiate, as they are banking on further gains on the battlefield. Their negotiating position has strengthened, which currently negates any considerations of peace. Not at this point in the conflict.
Sergey Lavrov, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, appeared on public television and reiterated the propaganda narrative that has been perpetuated to the Russian population for years. "Moscow harbours no illusions about resolving the Ukrainian crisis," acknowledged a trusted associate of Vladimir Putin, adding that the aggressor has its conditions.
The Russians do not seek peace unless Kyiv meets their terms, which are unacceptable to the Ukrainians. The uncompromising stance of both sides means there is no talk of ending the fighting. This situation suits Moscow, as its military is making gradual advances and moving closer to capturing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
We need reliable, legally binding agreements aimed at resolving the main causes of the conflict, said Lavrov.
His words are a clear message to Ukraine and the West. The Russians demanded that Kyiv relinquish Crimea, Donbas, and the territories seized during the conflict and also forsake its pro-European ambitions. For Ukraine, renouncing NATO and European Union membership is out of the question, just as surrendering its territories to the aggressors. Peace? Not at this point.
According to Sergey Lavrov, even a change in the White House, with Donald Trump potentially taking office, does not signal a move towards peace. Moscow continues to propagate the absurd narrative of "denazification" of Ukraine and at present steadfastly maintains this stance. For them to abandon it, Ukrainians would have to deliver significant blows to the Russians on the battlefield. However, that does not seem likely.
