MOSCOW—The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia’s goals in Ukraine can only be achieved through military force for now, and that Kiev must accept a “new reality” on the ground before reaching a peaceful solution.
“We must achieve our goals. Currently, this is possible only through military means, given the current position of the Kiev regime,” said the Russian state news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry I quoted Mr. Peskov.
Peskov later told reporters that Ukraine must accept a “new reality” that has emerged since Moscow launched what it called a “special military operation” in Ukraine last February.
“Moscow’s demands are all well known. The factual situation and the new reality are also well known. Without taking into account this set of problems, a transition to a peaceful settlement is impossible,” he said. said.
Moscow has repeatedly said it would need to accept Russia’s claims to the four regions of Ukraine that it partially controls.
Moscow has blamed Kiev for the breakdown of ceasefire talks that stalled in the first weeks of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would consider a peace settlement only after Russian troops leave Ukrainian territory.