Kremlin says there is no basis for negotiations with Ukraine
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Kyiv's proposed peace plan is absurd as it excludes Moscow.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MOSCOW – The Kremlin on Dec 20 said there is no current basis for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and that Kyiv’s proposed peace plan was absurd as it excluded Russia.
“We really consider that the topic of negotiations is not relevant right now,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Mr Peskov said Britain had sunk chances of a peace deal in 2022 by putting pressure on Kyiv to refuse a draft deal shortly after Russia sent troops into Ukraine.
“After that, there were no prerequisites for negotiations – and there were even fewer prerequisites after Ukraine actually legally prohibited any negotiations with the Russian side,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree in October 2022 formally declaring the prospect of any Ukrainian talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin “impossible” after Russia claimed to have annexed four regions of southern and eastern Ukraine.
Mr Peskov said Mr Zelensky’s peace plan, known as his “peace formula”, was flawed because he said it sought to find peace without Russia’s participation.
“To say the least, this is an absurd process,” he said.
Mr Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities and the restoration of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia. REUTERS
