Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in an ABC News interview that Russia demands a stop to U.S. and European arms deliveries to Ukraine as a condition for any possible ceasefire.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Russia and Ukraine to “end this foolish war,” advocating for a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has indicated it is ready to accept.
Last month, Putin announced a short Easter ceasefire, but both sides accused each other of multiple violations. This week, he also called for a three-day pause to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in World War Two. Ukraine, however, rejected this latest truce, insisting on a ceasefire lasting 30 days or longer.
Is Ukraine using ceasefires to regroup and train?
Peskove emphasised, “Otherwise, it will be an advantage for Ukraine. Ukraine will continue their total mobilisation, bringing new troops to (the) frontline.” “Ukraine will use this period to train new military personnel and to give a rest to their existing ones. So why should we grant such an advantage to Ukraine?”
In the interview, Peskov reiterated Russia’s concerns, which Putin publicly expressed on March 13 and discussed with Trump during a phone call on March 18.
“A ceasefire was supported by President Putin, but he asked several questions.”
He said that
“right now, we have certain dynamics on the front, Russian troops are advancing, and advancing in quite a confident way,”
He said.
“So if we speak about ceasefire, what are we going to do with shipments of weapons coming every day from the United States and from European countries?”
Is Russia serious about a long-term peace deal?
His remarks highlighted the unchanged stance of Russia regarding a ceasefire since mid-March. In that period, Trump, who had previously exerted considerable pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has increasingly shown frustration with Russia and has raised doubts about whether Putin was “tapping me along.”
Peskov rejected that notion, asserting instead that it is Ukraine that is declining to engage in direct talks negotiations.
“President Putin is doing whatever is possible to solve the problem, to achieve a settlement through peaceful and diplomatic means. But having no peaceful and diplomatic means at hand, we have to continue the military operation,”
He said.
Russia anticipated that Trump’s mediation would assist in facilitating
“a little bit more flexibility, a little bit more political will and wisdom to the Kyiv regime”,
Peskov said.
