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| Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov |
Moscow - Ukraine can end the ongoing conflict at any time by acknowledging Russia 's conditions . This was revealed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "Russia is ready (for a peace deal), the Ukrainian side is well aware of our terms. One way or another, they will be met," the Kremlin official told reporters as quoted by Russia Today.
Dmitry Peskov went on to explain that at the end of March the two countries were close to resolving their differences in a manner acceptable to Russia, but the draft agreement prepared during the meeting in Istanbul was rejected by the Ukrainian side.
Kiev broke off talks with Moscow after accusing Russia of war crimes, allegations Russia says are based on false evidence. The Ukrainian leadership has since insisted that negotiations can only resume after Russia is defeated on the battlefield with the help of Western weapons.
Dmitry Peskov also commented on the recent visit to Moscow by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The Kremlin spokesman confirmed Schroeder met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Despite media speculation that the former German leader could mediate in the Ukraine conflict, the 78-year-old has not expressed his desire to do so, said Dmitry Peskov.
Russia sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev's failure to implement the Minsk agreement, which was designed to give the Donetsk and Lugansk regions special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocol, brokered by Germany and France, was first signed in 2014.
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev's main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and "create a strong armed force."
In February 2022, the Kremlin recognized the Donbass republic as an independent state and demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that would never join any Western military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian attack was completely unwarranted.