Russia said on Friday it is imperative that the West recognise Russia’s annexations of new territories before Moscow agrees to peace talks, noting that refusing to do so would make negotiations to end the Ukraine war difficult.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that Moscow is ready to start negotiations but on the precondition that the West recognise its annexations of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in September. Furthermore, Peskov said the Kremlin would not withdraw its troops from Ukraine and the West should not insist on the point. He also blamed the West for encouraging Ukraine to prolong the war by supplying Kyiv with missiles.
Peskov’s statement followed a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, during which Putin told Scholz that the West, including Germany, has been carrying out a “destructive” policy in Ukraine.
Chancellor Scholz had a call with 🇷🇺 President Putin. Scholz condemned Russia's airstrikes against civilian infrastructure in #Ukraine and stressed Germany's determination to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. He urged Putin to withdraw his troops. pic.twitter.com/T4vuakfMAb
— German Embassy (@GermanyinUSA) December 2, 2022
The West’s “comprehensive political and financial support for Ukraine, leads Kiev to reject any idea of negotiations,” Putin said, noting that this policy also enables “radical Ukrainian nationalists” to commit more crimes against civilians.
In this respect, he urged Germany to reconsider its approach to Ukraine, pointing out that the West’s policy has been detrimental to peace. In addition, Putin claimed that Russia had exercised restraint until recently; however, Ukrainian actions have made it impossible for Moscow to take measured steps.
Putin claimed that pinpoint Russian missile strikes on Ukraine have become “unavoidable” because of Kyiv’s “provocative actions” like the bombing of the Crimean Bridge.
“Don't let the bastards grind you down.”
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 5, 2022
Margaret Atwood
Total combat losses of the enemy from Feb 24 to Dec 5: pic.twitter.com/35cv9yIRq9
Peskov and Putin’s comments follow remarks by United States President Joe Biden last week that he is willing to speak with Putin if the Russian leader demonstrates an interest in ending the war. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, Biden said, “I’ll be happy to sit down with Putin to see what he wants—has in mind. He hasn’t done that yet.”
Saying that Putin “miscalculated” Russia’s military capabilities, Biden reaffirmed that he would talk with Putin to find out what Russia is willing to do. However, he noted that he would only hold talks with his Russian counterpart after consulting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.
Similarly, Macron said after his meeting with Biden that the West should consider talking with Putin and find ways to address Russia’s need for security guarantees.
.@POTUS: We stand with the people of Iran. The French and the U.S. are working together to hold accountable those responsible for the human rights abuses, counter Iran’s support for Russia’s war, and ensure that Iran does not ever acquire a nuclear weapon. https://t.co/MyKfp0QLaH
— Department of State (@StateDept) December 4, 2022
“This means that one of the essential points we must address […] is the fear that NATO comes right up to its doors and the deployment of weapons that could threaten Russia,” he said.
Macron stressed that giving guarantees to Russia is crucial in ensuring that Moscow comes to the negotiating table.
However, according to the New York Times (NYT), the Kremlin and Putin’s latest statements make the possibility for peace talks “as distant as ever.” US officials have told NYT that Moscow’s “hard-line” demands are unacceptable to Kyiv and show that the Kremlin is unwilling to negotiate in good faith.
In fact, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said Ukraine will not cede any territory to Russia. Furthermore, during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October, Zelensky stressed that “Ukraine would not conduct any negotiations” with Russia in lieu of the “sham” referenda conducted by Moscow to annex Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.