Russia to continue military campaign in Ukraine until resolution of core causes
Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the Russian State Duma's Defence Committee, ruled out any unconditional ceasefire, stating that Moscow would continue its assault unless things are not 'put into writing'.
'We will not agree to a ceasefire just for the sake of it,' he said on the country's federal TV agency Channel One, according to Russian-state-media-TASS.
'Only if everything is put in writing, passed into law, ratified by parliaments, and becomes part of a genuine, lasting agreement—only then can peace be considered. Until then, the special military operation will continue.'
Stating that the Kremlin won't be deterred by any "false assurances", he referenced the West's 'empty promises' to Moscow in prior negotiations, and said Russia would not be 'deceived again by golden illusions".
At the United Nations, Russia's ambassador Vassily Nebenzia echoed the same stance, stating that Moscow is willing to consider a ceasefire 'in principle", but only if Kyiv takes tangible steps toward a long-term settlement.
'A simple ceasefire is not enough,' he told the UN Security Council, reports Sputnik. 'We stood at this crossroads before with the Minsk agreements, which were consistently violated by Western-backed Ukraine.'
Nebenzia added that Russia's military is capable of escalating operations if necessary. 'The Russian Armed Forces can continue and ramp up military operations for as long as it takes,' he said.
Accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately prolonging the conflict to avoid facing democratic accountability and corruption allegations, Nebenzia said, 'Ending the war means elections, scrutiny, and questions about where the money went.'
He also accused some 'warmongers' in Europe of stalling any peace talks, misleading the US and forcing them to stay engaged. 'European warmongers are determined to keep America in this,' he said.
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