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Russia is ready to consider a temporary truce in Ukraine if the parties reach a clear understanding of the basic principles of a future peace agreement. This was reported by Bloomberg with reference to informed sources.
According to journalists, the Kremlin’s conditions were conveyed to the US delegation during talks in Riyadh in February. The main demands relate to control over the conditions of a potential peacekeeping mission and the identification of countries that will participate in it.
According to Bloomberg, Moscow insists that it will not allow the presence of NATO forces on the territory of Ukraine. At the same time, according to two of the agency’s sources, Russia does not deny the possible participation of neutral states, such as China, in a future peacekeeping mission.
Interestingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously publicly rejected the idea of even a temporary ceasefire, but now the Kremlin is showing a willingness to discuss it, albeit on its own terms.
Why is this important?
The Riyadh talks were one of the key attempts by international players to find a way out of the protracted war, and now, according to Bloomberg, the Kremlin is preparing to play the peace game, seeking to preserve its gains and influence on the future security architecture in the region.
Analysts warn that Moscow’s agreement to a truce may only be a pause for regrouping, not a real step towards peace. At the same time, the inclusion of countries such as China in a peacekeeping mission could pose a serious challenge to the West.
Further developments will show whether diplomacy will be able to keep the situation from escalating again, or whether the ceasefire will remain another tool of Russian strategy.
