Russia has once again clarified its position regarding potential peace negotiations with Ukraine, asserting that Western efforts to pause the conflict are primarily aimed at allowing the Ukrainian military time to strengthen its capabilities.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated in an interview with the RIA Novosti agency that the primary objective of Kyiv's Western backers is to freeze military operations. He argued that this strategy is intended to create conditions for the rearmament and regrouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Galuzin claimed that the current leadership in Kyiv is not pursuing an independent policy and is acting solely under the direction of its Western partners. He suggested that statements issued by Ukrainian officials reflect this external influence rather than a sovereign strategic vision.
The Russian official emphasized that Moscow considers the elimination of the root causes of the conflict a fundamental condition for ensuring long-term and sustainable peace in the region. Galuzin noted that Russia remains prepared to resume negotiations with Ukraine from the point where they were previously halted, provided that both Kyiv and its Western partners demonstrate the necessary political will.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which intensified significantly in February 2022, has become a focal point of global geopolitics. Diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution have frequently stalled, with both sides maintaining divergent views on the prerequisites for peace talks and the ultimate status of contested territories.
