In a recent statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that “Russia needs peace in Ukraine, not a ceasefire,” asserting that there has been no change in Moscow’s position regarding the ongoing conflict.
Peskov further commented that someone in Kyiv must make a responsible decision to resolve the conflict, indicating that it is imperative. However, he did not specify who that person should be. Earlier, in response to former President Donald Trump’s suggestion that negotiations should be handled by someone other than President Volodymyr Zelensky, Peskov remarked that a “legitimate representative of power” must exist to make the necessary decisions for halting military actions. The specific decisions Russia deems necessary were not elaborated upon by Peskov.
Additionally, Peskov responded to Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s participation in talks regarding Ukraine. He noted that this involvement could be viewed positively, provided that it offers a constructive contribution rather than reiterating a generalized European position.
Viktor Vitekov has already arrived in St. Petersburg, where he was greeted by Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. Reports indicate that Vitekov will propose direct negotiations between Putin, Zelensky, and Trump to facilitate a ceasefire. In the same context, the current President of the United States expressed the view that it is not necessary for Putin and Zelensky to meet for a peace agreement to be reached.
Context
- On October 19, Trump criticized Zelensky once again, asserting that negotiations to end the war should be conducted by “someone else,” reacting to Zelensky’s comments about Trump’s alignment in history. Trump also accused the Ukrainian president of unwillingness to stop the war, linking the easing of sanctions against Russia to a desire for peace.
- According to Ukrainian media, the U.S. is demanding that Ukraine withdraw troops from Donbas without offering anything in return. Earlier in October, Peskov stated that Russia would continue fighting and is willing to defend even the smallest percentage of Donbas territory.
- On October 20, Vitekov met with Zelensky in Oslo, Norway, with Trump representative Jared Kushner participating in the talks remotely.
- Zelensky shared that discussions with Vitekov covered security guarantees and proposals for concluding the war. These topics had previously been addressed by Ukrainian and American teams in Miami meetings, including territorial issues and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The president reiterated that sensitive territorial matters should be discussed at the highest levels. One of Ukraine’s proposals includes a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.
