Ukraine Rejects Russian Peace Proposal, Conflict Continues

Russia Maintains Stance on Ukraine Conflict Amid Peace Proposals

Russia continues to position itself as open to peaceful resolution in Ukraine while simultaneously pressing forward with military operations, according to recent statements from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“The Russian side remains open and willing to engage in peaceful dialogue,” Peskov said, while adding that “in the absence of alternatives,” Russia will continue what it calls its “special military operation.” He emphasized that “one way or another, Russia will secure its interests and achieve its established objectives.”

Peskov also expressed positive sentiment toward potential U.S. involvement in resolving the conflict, stating, “Of course, we welcome such initiatives and the confirmation of political will to contribute to finding peaceful solutions.” He added that the Kremlin hopes “the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skill of President Trump’s envoys will encourage the Ukrainian side to show greater activity and readiness for the peace process.”

However, these statements stand in stark contrast to Russia’s actions on the ground and its responses to previous peace initiatives. In May 2025, Ukraine accepted a Western proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and multilateral dialogue. Rather than agreeing to talks, Russia dismissed the initiative, with Peskov himself stating that “it is not the right time for negotiations.”

Just last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly offered to meet Vladimir Putin in Istanbul under Turkish mediation to discuss a ceasefire. Despite support from the EU, UN, and Western leaders, the Kremlin rejected this proposal, citing an “absence of a legal basis for negotiations.” Meanwhile, Ukraine had already prepared and submitted a “peace memorandum” with concrete proposals including immediate cessation of hostilities, international guarantees, and prisoner exchanges.

Public opinion in Ukraine strongly supports a peaceful resolution, with a July 2025 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showing over 70% of Ukrainians want a rapid peace settlement, though without recognizing territorial annexations.

The disconnect between Moscow’s rhetoric and actions was particularly evident on the very day of Peskov’s statement, when Russian forces launched a new wave of strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, damaging power stations, hospitals, and residential buildings, resulting in civilian casualties.

Since 2023, Russian officials have consistently tied any potential dialogue to Kyiv accepting the annexation of four partially occupied regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Critics note that such conditions amount to demanding Ukraine’s surrender rather than offering a framework for genuine negotiations.

Even after Peskov’s recent statements, Russia reportedly rejected a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal along the frontline—a plan that Ukraine had accepted. This rejection prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to cancel a planned summit with Putin in Budapest and impose harsher sanctions on Russia.

Military analysts point out that the Kremlin’s peace rhetoric serves a dual purpose: projecting the image of a reasonable actor on the international stage while simultaneously justifying the continuation of military operations by blaming Ukraine’s alleged unwillingness to negotiate.

The ongoing conflict, now in its fourth year, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and displaced millions of Ukrainians. Despite numerous international efforts to broker peace, fighting continues across eastern Ukraine, with both sides entrenched in their respective positions.

As tensions persist, observers note that a genuine peace process would require concrete actions rather than statements, beginning with a verifiable ceasefire and sincere negotiations without preconditions that amount to capitulation.