Stopping the military operation in Ukraine depends on a decision from Kyiv

Russian Kremlin presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the “special military operation” in Ukraine could be stopped at any moment, if Kiev takes the appropriate decision, noting that these decisions are “well known in Kiev.”

Peskov added that any possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky, must come at the conclusion of the negotiation process on Ukraine, considering that such a meeting would not be meaningful unless the negotiating path is fully completed, according to what the Russian “Sputnik” news agency reported.

Peskov stressed that Russia remains open to communications regarding the Ukrainian crisis, and welcomes international mediation efforts, including those made by the United States, indicating that work has already been done within a tripartite negotiating framework, and that Moscow is ready to continue this path.

Peskov also recalled Putin’s statements in which he confirmed his readiness to meet Zelensky at any time, whether in Moscow or elsewhere.

Peskov added that Putin had recently indicated that developments in the situation were heading towards an end, indicating the possibility of reaching a future settlement of the conflict.

Moscow calls the comprehensive Russian war on the territory of Ukraine a “special military operation,” which began in February 2022.