Russia wants lasting resolution to Ukraine conflict – ex-deputy foreign minister
Moscow wants a lasting peace to end the Ukraine conflict, not tactical pauses that would help Kiev regroup, Vladimir Chizhov, the First Deputy Chair of the Russian Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee, has said.
Speaking to RT on Monday, Chizhov, who previously served as Russian deputy foreign minister (2202-2005), labeled Ukraine's proposal for a temporary ceasefire as counterproductive.
Kiev had initially insisted on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a prerequisite for direct negotiations with Moscow while its European backers warned of additional sanctions. The deadline was later delayed after Kiev agreed to direct engagement with Moscow. The Kremlin has consistently opposed short-term truces, viewing them as chances for Ukraine to rearm and reorganize.
'What will happen on day 31?' Chizhov asked, raising concerns about the implications of a limited truce. 'Will hostilities resume? Will arms supplies from NATO continue?' The proposal is a request for'strategic breathing room' for Ukraine rather than a genuine move toward peace.
President Vladimir Putin maintained earlier that a lasting truce would require Ukraine to halt its mobilization, stop receiving weapons from abroad, and withdraw troops from Russian-held territory.
Following yesterday's phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump, Putin stressed that Russia's priority is to eliminate the root causes of the Ukraine crisis.
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