Russia has no intention of halting hostilities in Ukraine during peace talks
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary for the Russian ruler, has dismissed the possibility of halting hostilities in Ukraine even upon the resumption of trilateral peace talks.
Source: Russian media outlet Interfax
Quote from Peskov: "The decision to resume trilateral negotiations with the participation of Russia, Ukraine and the US does not mean any halts on hostilities."
Details: Peskov said that the Russians continue to "inflict massive and consistent strikes" on Ukraine. "The Kyiv regime [as the Kremlin refers to the authorities in Ukraine] is also continuing all its corresponding actions," the Kremlin spokesperson said.
On 21 October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, as urged by European leaders, would, in his words, mean "preserving the Nazi regime" and "banning the Russian language".
Background:
- In early October, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin stated that he was ready to resume peace talks as soon as possible, but on terms acceptable to Russia. He spoke about the occupation of the entire Donbas, Ukraine's neutral status, security guarantees for Russia and "conditions for lasting peace". Putin also returned to his familiar themes of the Russian language and the church in his answers.
- On 24 October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready for a peace deal that will freeze the war along the current line of contact. However, he has added that Ukraine will not agree to recognise that "the territory which is temporarily occupied will be Russian territory".
- On 26 October, US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Washington is planning trilateral talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
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