By Castle Journal International Desk | July 21, 2025
Moscow/Kyiv – As the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year with devastating humanitarian and geopolitical consequences, the Kremlin has signaled a renewed interest in peace talks. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it unequivocally clear that any negotiations must be based on achieving Russia’s strategic goals—a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv and its Western allies.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that President Putin remains open to dialogue but insisted that the path to peace must account for what he called Russia’s “core national interests” and “military objectives.”
“President Putin is ready for meaningful negotiations. However, peace must not come at the expense of Russia’s vital security and territorial concerns,” Peskov said during a televised press briefing.
“The goals of the special military operation remain unchanged.”
What Are Russia’s Goals?
While Russia has frequently reiterated vague ambitions such as “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine, the concrete objectives remain contentious. Experts and analysts largely interpret Russia’s goals as solidifying control over occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine—including the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions—and potentially securing a land bridge to Crimea.
Putin’s insistence on retaining these territories as a precondition for peace is seen by Ukraine and its allies as a non-starter.
Ukraine’s Firm Stand
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that any peace deal must begin with the full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, including Crimea. In a recent statement, Zelensky said:
“We will not surrender one inch of Ukrainian land. Any so-called peace proposal that cements Russian occupation is nothing more than a disguised surrender.”
Ukraine’s leadership has proposed its own 10-point peace plan, which includes the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of prisoners of war, food and energy security guarantees, and the establishment of a war crimes tribunal.
International Reaction
The Kremlin’s latest remarks were met with skepticism and concern in Western capitals. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance supports Ukraine’s right to defend its sovereignty and warned against peace proposals that could reward aggression.
“Any peace must be just and lasting. It cannot be dictated by the aggressor,” Stoltenberg said.
The United States echoed similar sentiments. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Washington would back negotiations only if they uphold Ukraine’s territorial integrity and are conducted without coercion.
“Putin’s call for peace while demanding recognition of his illegal land grabs is deeply disingenuous,” Miller said.
On the Ground: Fighting Continues
Despite talk of peace, fighting continues to rage along several frontlines. Ukrainian forces recently launched localized counteroffensives near the city of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia and repelled Russian advances in the Donbas region.
Russia, meanwhile, has intensified its drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly in Odesa and Kharkiv, in what Ukrainian officials describe as a campaign of terror aimed at weakening morale.
The UN reports that more than 12 million Ukrainians remain displaced, with nearly 500,000 civilian casualties since the war began in February 2022.
Is Peace Possible?
Diplomatic analysts remain divided. Some argue that a negotiated settlement is the only way to end the bloodshed, while others believe that peace talks are unlikely to succeed unless the military balance shifts dramatically.
Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, commented:
“Putin’s position is less about finding a middle ground and more about locking in gains. He sees time and attrition as tools to pressure Ukraine and the West.”
Conclusion
While the Kremlin’s statement may offer a sliver of hope for a diplomatic resolution, the conditions attached raise serious doubts about its sincerity. With both sides entrenched in their positions and the battlefield still active, a durable peace remains elusive.
For now, the world watches anxiously as the war in Ukraine grinds on—with diplomacy hanging in the balance between the realities of war and the ambitions of power.
© Castle Journal Ltd | www.castle-journal.com
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