Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a news conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin after a meeting of the State Council on youth policy in Moscow, Russia, December 22, 2022. Sputnik/Valeriy Sharifulin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
On Monday, the Kremlin asserted that discussions in Davos concerning Kyiv’s peace proposals would yield no tangible results as Russia was not actively participating in the talks. Moscow declared its intention to persist with its military operation in Ukraine until all objectives were met. In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin deployed a significant number of troops into Ukraine, leading to a substantial escalation in tensions between Russia and the West, comparable to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
Key figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French President Emmanuel Macron, and influential leaders from the Middle East are expected to attend the World Economic Forum this week. Discussions aimed at resolving conflicts in both Gaza and Ukraine are anticipated to feature prominently on the agenda for global elites.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the talks in Davos regarding Ukraine, characterizing them as mere dialogue without substantive purpose due to Russia’s non-participation. Ukraine has consistently asserted its commitment to the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy deeming any talks with Russia illegal.
Russia, holding control over nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, has rejected Zelenskiy’s “peace formula” as impractical, contending that it seeks a resolution without Russian involvement. Zelenskiy’s 10-point plan advocates for the withdrawal of Russian troops, cessation of hostilities, and the reinstatement of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia.
Putin frames the conflict in Ukraine as part of a broader global struggle with the West, asserting that the West aims to disintegrate Russia and exploit its resources. The West refutes these claims, denying any intention to dismantle Russia.
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the importance of China’s presence at discussions when Kyiv conducts further meetings on its peace formula. In response to inquiries about Russia’s stance on potential talks with Ukraine, Peskov deemed Ukraine’s position of outlawing discussions with Moscow as “absurd.” He expressed a preference for achieving security objectives through peaceful and diplomatic means but emphasized the continuation of the “special military operation” due to perceived unwillingness from the collective West and Ukraine to consider Russia’s security considerations. Peskov reiterated Russia’s determination to attain its objectives through the ongoing military operation, a term Putin has characterized as a “special military operation,” although Russian officials have also referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a “war” on multiple occasions.
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