The Kremlin announced on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be urged to pursue peace, following his recent clash with former US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The event highlighted the challenges in settling the ongoing conflict.
“What occurred at the White House on Friday, indeed, illustrated how challenging it will be to achieve a settlement trajectory regarding Ukraine,” Reuters reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.
Kremlin Accuses Kyiv of Prolonging the War
Peskov asserted that Zelenskyy and his government are not inclined to seek peace, claiming that they intend to extend the war.
“The Kyiv regime and Zelenskyy do not desire peace. They wish for the war to persist,” he remarked.
He additionally stressed that external pressure is essential to alter Zelenskyy’s position.
“Someone needs to compel Zelenskyy to desire peace. If the Europeans can accomplish this, they should be recognized and commended,” Peskov stated.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict in Ukraine intensified in 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin commanded a large-scale military invasion, representing the most significant clash between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
The origins of the conflict date back to 2014 when Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was removed during the Maidan Revolution. This resulted in Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the emergence of Russian-backed separatists engaging Ukraine’s military in the eastern territories.
Putin Aware of Oval Office Incident
As per Peskov, President Putin was made aware of the “unprecedented event” in the Oval Office, which he stated revealed Zelenskyy’s lack of diplomatic abilities.
“Moreover, we observe that the collective West has partially started to lose its unity, and a fragmentation of the collective West has initiated,” Peskov remarked.
The Kremlin persists in advocating for diplomatic intervention, calling for Western leaders to pressure Zelenskyy into engaging in peace negotiations.
