Russia Will Consider Serious Proposals for Resolving Ukrainian Crisis, But Rejects Ultimatums, Says Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on Saturday that Russia is willing to consider serious proposals for resolving the Ukrainian crisis but will not accept ultimatums.

She made these remarks in response to comments made by Dmytro Kuleba about the importance of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “peace formula.” According to Zakharova, the Ukrainian authorities are attempting to deceive both the international community and their own people.

Zakharova explained that Zelenskyy’s peace plan is simply a list of ultimatums aimed at Russia, which are not based in reality. The plan demands that Russian troops be withdrawn from various regions, including Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, Kherson, and even Crimea.

It also requires Russia to pay reparations and admit guilt at international tribunals. Zakharova believes that the purpose of the Ukrainian peace formula is to force Russia to surrender with the help of Western countries.

Zakharova reiterated that Russia is open to genuine proposals from Ukraine and the West to find a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis, but not if they are presented as ultimatums.

To achieve sustainable peace, Zakharova believes that the provision of weapons and mercenaries to Ukraine should cease, military activities should stop, Ukraine should regain its neutral status, and the new situation on the ground resulting from the right of peoples to self-determination should be recognized internationally.

Additionally, demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine are necessary, along with the elimination of all threats emanating from its territory and the guarantee of its non-nuclear status, as well as respect for the rights of Russian speakers and ethnic minorities.

Zakharova stated that the Kiev regime has become a tool used by the US and NATO in their confrontation with Russia, and that they are not interested in finding a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian crisis.

She reminded everyone of the comments made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said that the US is determined to continue providing Ukraine with weapons rather than engage in a diplomatic process with Russia.

Zakharova believes that those nations wishing to contribute to resolving the situation should direct their calls for peace toward Kiev and its Western puppeteers, who have dragged Ukraine into a dangerous global confrontation.