Russia: no grounds for peace talks with Ukraine

Russia is not showing any readiness for talks to end the war in Ukraine, as the Kremlin sees no reason for dialogue.

This was stated on December 3 by Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the russian president, local media reported.

"So far, there are no grounds for negotiations," Peskov said, adding that russia has allegedly repeatedly expressed its readiness for dialogue.

He also noted that several countries are offering assistance in holding the negotiations. "Many countries are declaring their readiness to provide their territory for negotiations. And we are grateful to all countries for such goodwill, including Qatar," the Kremlin spokesman added.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in early December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Kyodo News that the Ukrainian army does not have the forces to liberate the occupied territories by military means.

According to him, diplomatic steps must be sought to return the territories captured by the russians. But this should only begin after Ukraine receives ironclad guarantees that russia will not attack the country again.

Zelenskyy believes that the only ironclad guarantee for Ukraine is membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, wrote in a column on the website of the Dagens Industri publication that the ceasefire initiatives proposed by several countries do not contain guarantees for Ukraine.

Yermak also believes that peace can only be achieved by providing Ukraine with a large amount of weapons and inviting Kyiv to NATO. He believes that Ukraine's membership in the alliance would not entail any obligations for its other members.

Meanwhile, two-thirds of Ukrainians want to start negotiations on freezing the war. About half more do not believe that victory in the war should be reaching the 1991 borders.

To request a correction, please send an email.