The “language of ultimatums” is unacceptable for Russia, spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said A view of the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. © Sefa Karacan / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Russia is determined to find a long-term solution to the Ukraine conflict but will not allow itself to be spoken to in the “language of ultimatums,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday. On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to restart direct negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions. Kiev, however, has insisted on establishing a 30-day ceasefire before any talks are held. Ukraine’s European backers have supported this demand. Berlin is threatening to impose additional sanctions on Moscow if it does not agree to a truce by the end of May 12. Peskov responded to Germany’s threat by stressing that “the language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia.” “You cannot speak to Russia in such a language,” the spokesman emphasized, noting that similar ultimatums were previously made in Kiev by the so-called “coalition of the willing,” which includes the leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Poland. Peskov emphasized that Moscow is committed to searching for ways to achieve a long-term peace settlement that includes resuming direct talks with Kiev in Istanbul without any preconditions. He noted that this approach is aimed at “finding a genuine diplomatic resolution to the Ukrainian crisis, addressing the root causes of the conflict, and achieving a lasting peace.” As for the proposed ceasefire, Peskov has stated that while Moscow is open to the idea of a truce “in general,” there are a number of crucial concerns that must first be addressed, including guarantees that the pause would not be used by Ukraine to regroup its battered forces and continue its mobilization campaign.
