Ceasefire or sanctions: Kremlin tells Europe that Russia can't be spoken to in the language of ultimatums

Khrystyna Bondarieva , Alona Mazurenko - 12 May, 16:49

Dmitry Peskov. Photo: RIA Novosti

The Kremlin has responded to Germany's vow to impose additional sanctions against Russia together with its European allies if a ceasefire is not introduced on 12 May, saying that Russia cannot be spoken to in the language of ultimatums.

Source: European Pravda, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov speaking to journalists on 12 May, as quoted by Russian Interfax

Details: The German government had said earlier in the day that unless a ceasefire is established in Ukraine by the end of Monday, Berlin, together with its European partners, will begin the process of preparing new sanctions against Russia.

"Before this warning, we had already heard warnings the day before yesterday, and they were also expressed in the form of an ultimatum. But this language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia, it is not appropriate. You can't talk to Russia in this language," Peskov said on Monday in response to a question from journalists.

Background:

On Saturday 10 May, Germany, France, the UK and Poland called on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday.
During a visit to Kyiv on Saturday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other leaders threatened Russia with sanctions if it did not agree to a ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron said that massive sanctions would be imposed by Europe and the US.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin did not respond to the proposal for a 30-day pause in hostilities, but said he was ready for direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday 15 May.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!