Russia rejected the `ultimatum`, stating a series of conditions for peace in Ukraine 0
(Dan Tri) – The Russian Ambassador warned that the US and its allies’ refusal to understand Moscow’s demands and continued arming Ukraine would further aggravate the conflict.
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov (Photo: AFP).
Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told Newsweek on February 20 that Moscow `resolutely` affirmed that at some point they will reach a peace agreement with Kiev, despite opposition from the West.
According to Mr. Antonov, this will be achieved even if the West `does everything to strip Ukraine of its independence and turn it into a bridgehead against Russia.`
`Instead of listening and understanding Russia’s main demands – including denuclearization and demilitarization of Ukraine as well as rejection of anti-Russian plans and opposition to Kiev’s plan to join NATO – Washington and its satellites
The Russian ambassador accused the US and the European Union (EU) of `unleashing weapons to their puppets (in Kiev), calling this a ‘good investment’`.
`They turn a blind eye to criminal acts by their `customers` who use lethal equipment to commit war crimes and act against public infrastructure, civilians and even
According to Ambassador Antonov, Russia `still does not give up dialogue` about Ukraine despite only receiving `unacceptable` proposals from Kiev and Western allies.
`They emphasize that there is no alternative to the ‘Zelensky (peace) Formula`, which is meaningless and one-sided, although these do not take into account Russia’s position,` Antonov said.
The `peace formula` proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since 2022 calls for Russia to withdraw from all territories claimed by Kiev, requires Moscow to pay compensation and establish a war crimes court
The Ambassador emphasized that to find a diplomatic solution in Ukraine, the US and its allies will have to change their approach regarding Russia.
`There is no prospect of negotiating with Russia from a position of strength and sanctions pressure… The sooner the US realizes this, the sooner the world will have a chance to return to a path of stable, sustainable and predictable development.`
In an interview with Brazilian newspaper O Globo on February 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is ready to resolve the conflict in Ukraine by peaceful means, but does not accept Kiev’s `ultimatum`.
`Russia is ready to resolve the conflict peacefully. However, our opponents both in Kiev and the West are determined to promote Mr. Zelensky’s formula, which presents an unacceptable ultimatum
According to the Russian Foreign Minister, `first, Kiev needs to lift the self-imposed ban on dialogue with Moscow.`
In October 2022, President Zelensky issued a decree banning negotiations with the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Putin repeatedly emphasized that the Russian side has never refused any peace negotiations with Ukraine.
Russia announced its willingness to negotiate, but on the condition that Ukraine must acknowledge `new territorial realities`.
