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Peace was never West's goal in Ukraine, says Russia, accusing it of fuelling war by arming Kyiv
File- Flames and smoke billow from buildings during mass Russian drones and missile strikes on the Ukraine's capital Kyiv on July 4, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo: OLEKSII FILIPPOV/AFP)
Russia has accused the Western nations of never seriously seeking peace in Ukraine, instead charging them with prolonging the conflict through continued military support for Kyiv
'Peace talks and a settlement in Ukraine have never been on the real agenda of the West,' said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Saturday, her first remarks since direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials earlier in the week.
'If the West truly wanted peace, it would stop supplying weapons to Kyiv,' she said, as quoted by the TASS news agency. Zakharova had previously declined to comment during her regular Thursday briefing.
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The criticism was echoed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who reiterated that while Moscow remains open to negotiations, achieving Russia's military and political objectives remains a core priority. 'The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,' Peskov told state television. He emphasised that President Vladimir Putin is committed to a peaceful resolution but acknowledged that the process would be 'long and difficult.'
Russia has long insisted that any peace agreement must include Ukraine's withdrawal from four regions Moscow annexed in 2022—territories it does not fully control—as well as Kyiv's formal renunciation of NATO membership and acceptance of strict limits on its armed forces. These demands have been flatly rejected by Ukraine and its Western backers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Kyiv had proposed a new round of talks this week. While Russian state media confirmed discussions were ongoing, no date has been finalised, though Istanbul is expected to remain the host city.
The diplomatic developments come amid heightened U.S. pressure on Russia. President Donald Trump recently warned Moscow that it has 50 days to agree to a ceasefire or face 'severe tariffs.' Trump also announced plans to step up military support to Ukraine, including advanced Patriot air defence systems, and hinted at plans for European allies to buy large quantities of US arms to replenish Ukraine's supplies.
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Despite the proposed peace efforts, hostilities have continued on the ground. Russia has intensified its drone strikes in recent days, with Ukraine reporting one of the highest overnight barrages this year. Ukraine's air force said it downed 18 of 57 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight into Sunday, while another seven drones went off radar.
Civilian casualties were reported in both Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions. In Zaporizhzhia, two women were injured when a drone struck their home, while two others were wounded in Kharkiv after a drone hit a residential building, local officials said.
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