Russia has rejected the peace offer made by Ukraine on Tuesday, 13th of December, which asks for the withdrawal of the Russian army from the territory of Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov has stated that Ukraine must accept the new territorial reality, which includes recognition of the occupied territories as part of Russia. Ukraine and Western countries call the «referendums» organized by Russia illegal, stating that they were carried out by violent means.
Peskov said:
«And these realities indicate that new subjects have appeared in the Russian Federation. They appeared as a result of referendums that took place in these territories. Without taking these new realities into account, no kind of progress is possible.»
Peskov’s statement comes in response to Zelensky’s appeal to the G7 countries to support Ukraine and provide more military equipment, as well as support a peace offer that includes the complete withdrawal of the Russian military from Ukraine.
Since the annexation of eastern and southern Ukraine Russia has suffered significant losses, and therefore says it is open to talks. However, Moscow says that it does not see the readiness of Ukraine and the West to sit down at the negotiating table if the West supplies Ukraine with weapons. Moscow has rejected accusations that its talk of a diplomatic solution is just buying time to regroup weakened forces.
Ukraine says that Russia must stop its attacks and withdraw its army from all occupied territory. Zelensky called on the G7 leaders to support this demand and hold a summit to implement the ten-step peace plan proposed by Ukraine. Zelensky said: «Whatever the aggressor has in mind when the world is united, it, and not the aggressor, determines the further course of events.»
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