Russian Federation says there will be no meeting between Putin and Zelensky until Ukraine 'capitulates'

Against the background of diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow is openly demanding Kiev's surrender as a condition for a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelenskyy at peace talks. This was stated by First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslitsa in an interview with The Kyiv Independent.

The diplomat said that the Russian delegation was acting strictly within Putin's "mandate" and was not showing any flexibility. Unlike the Ukrainian team, where there are real discussions and search for compromises, the Russian side, he said, only mechanically repeats the Kremlin's demands.

Ukraine proposed a cease-fire to create conditions for dialogue at the level of leaders and at least minimal mutual understanding," the diplomat explained. - But in response we hear: first capitulate, accept our conditions, and then, perhaps, we will organise a meeting.

Kislitsa emphasises that the negotiations have practically exhausted themselves in this format. In his opinion, the Kremlin is not interested in a real settlement, but only creates the appearance of dialogue in order to demonstrate to the West - primarily the United States - its readiness to negotiate.

The rhetoric of the Russian side is of particular concern. According to Kyslitsa, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, continues to call Ukrainians "Russians" and even describes the war as "a situation in which Russians kill Russians". In the opinion of the Ukrainian diplomat, this only underlines the depth of the ideological gap and Moscow's unwillingness to recognise Ukraine's subjectivity.

Kyslitsa said that the meeting between Zelensky and Putin remains the only chance to move the process forward. However, with the Kremlin's current ultimatum approach, such a meeting is doubtful.