Ukraine responds to Putin's ceasefire terms: 'It is absurd for him to portray himself as a peace envoy'
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated yesterday that Russia could immediately begin peace talks with Ukraine if his preconditions are met. The Kyiv administration responded to Putin's remarks, stating, "It is absurd for him to portray himself as a peace envoy and offer options to end a war he himself started."
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements do not constitute a serious peace initiative, noting that it is impossible to "find common ground" with the conditions Putin has presented.
Speaking to the Reuters news agency, Podolyak said that the conditions announced by Putin have nothing to do with ongoing negotiations. Zelenskyy's advisor stated that it is impossible to find a compromise between the Russian leader's statements and Ukraine's conditions for ending the war.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement saying, "It is absurd for Putin to portray himself as a peace envoy and offer options to end a war he himself started." The ministry's statement added, "Putin's ultimatums have been voiced by Moscow before, and there is nothing new in these statements."
PESKOV: OUR CEASEFIRE TERMS ARE INDEFINITE
Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin's ceasefire terms with Ukraine are indefinite, adding, "The consultation of security guarantees in the future is on the table. This is a comprehensive, very deep, and constructive proposal." Peskov answered journalists' questions in Moscow regarding Russia's conditions for a ceasefire with Ukraine, which were announced by Putin.
Arguing that the ceasefire terms with Ukraine are not in the nature of a warning or an ultimatum, Peskov noted: "These are a peace initiative. The consultation of security guarantees in the future is on the table. This is a comprehensive, very deep, and constructive proposal. Of course, it has no expiration date, but the situation on the front is constantly changing and could change for the worse for the Kyiv administration in the future. This proposal was prepared based on the current situation, and Kyiv needs to take into account that conditions may change in the future. They (the Ukrainians) have a chance to evaluate Putin's peace proposal."
Spokesperson Peskov said there is no need for Putin's proposals to be turned into a formal document.
WHAT DID PUTIN SAY?
In a statement made at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putin indicated that talks could be held if Ukrainian troops completely withdraw from the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions and if Ukraine promises not to join NATO.
Putin said that if the preconditions are met, Russia could immediately stop its offensive and guarantee the safe withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the front lines.