Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on 16/12 that "the participation of European countries is not acceptable." He added that the Kremlin had not been informed about the results of the 15/12 talks in Berlin between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
When asked about the possibility of a next round of negotiations involving Moscow, Peskov emphasized that Russia needs to understand the outcomes of the ongoing talks between the US and Ukraine, which include European involvement.
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in Moscow, December 2024. *Photo: AFP* |
US and Ukrainian delegations met in Berlin on 14-15/12 to discuss solutions for ending the conflict. President Donald Trump, who participated via video, later asserted that a deal to end hostilities was nearing. Washington, he claimed, had offered Kyiv security guarantees acceptable to Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported "progress" from these discussions. However, the issue of territorial concessions by Ukraine remains a significant sticking point. The US has yet to release details of its revised peace plan draft.
European countries have put forward similar proposals, including deploying multinational forces to Ukraine, ensuring security, and enabling Kyiv to maintain an armed force of 800,000 personnel. However, the Kremlin has rejected most such proposals. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on 16/12 affirmed Russia's unwavering stance on not conceding the Donbass, Novorossiya, and Crimea regions. "We cannot compromise in any form on this issue, because it would be an amendment to fundamental elements of the state enshrined in the constitution," he stated.
The Donbass region comprises Donetsk and Lugansk provinces. "Novorossiya" is a term Russia uses to refer to Donbass along with Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces. Some definitions of "Novorossiya" also encompass Kharkov, Mykolaiv, and Odessa provinces.
Deputy Minister Ryabkov also emphasized that Russia would never agree to the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, even within the framework of NATO. He reiterated, "We are ready to openly consider decisions that may be made, but Russia certainly will never approve of the presence of NATO troops on Ukrainian territory."
Huyen Le (According to AFP, TASS)
