Kremlin sets condition for ceasefire: Ukraine must withdraw from Donbas
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Photo: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool)
A ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine would only be possible if Ukrainian forces withdraw from Donbas, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Dec. 29, according to the Russian state-run outlet Interfax.
When asked whether the condition applied only to Donbas or
also included Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts, Peskov declined to elaborate,
saying he did not want to “publicly discuss specific provisions.”
He added that Moscow is “thinking about ending the military
conflict in the context of achieving its objectives.”
On Dec. 28, Yuri Ushakov — aide to Russian dictator Vladimir
Putin — said that for the fighting to end completely, Ukraine would have to
make a decision “concerning Donbas.”
On Dec. 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the
draft peace agreement currently under discussion does not include any provision
to establish a demilitarized zone along the front line between Ukraine and
Russia.
Instead, he said, negotiations are underway to create a free
economic zone in Donetsk Oblast.
Asked who would patrol a demilitarized zone if one were
created, Zelenskyy replied, “Your question already has the answer: if one were
created. Right now, that’s not being discussed. For now, we’re talking about a
free economic zone.”
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