High-ranking Kremlin officials effectively rejected the US-Ukrainian-proposed limited energy ceasefire and continued reiterating Russia’s unwillingness to engage in any meaningful peace negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on September 22 that the war in Ukraine will have to end through a “negotiated settlement” rather than a “military victory” on either side.
Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on September 23 and stated, following the meeting, that both Russia and Ukraine have “expressed interest” in a limited ceasefire involving grain and energy supplies but noted that the agreement would not “solve the war” and could serve as a baseline for a broader deal.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated “absolutely” in response to a question on whether Western energy ceasefire proposals are a rhetorical exercise, however, effectively rejecting US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire of long-range strikes on energy infrastructure.
Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for a bilateral meeting with Trump but emphasized that high-level peace negotiations between Russia and the United States require prior preparations at the “expert level.”
Peskov added that there are currently no “preconditions” to enter peace negotiations with Ukraine and reiterated that Putin will only meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow City.
Putin separately expressed confidence on September 23 in Russian forces’ ability to achieve all of Russia’s war goals on the battlefield — goals that amount to full Ukrainian capitulation.
Peskov and Putin’s statements demonstrate the Kremlin’s continued unwillingness to accept any diplomatic ceasefire and peace proposals on any terms that fall short of fulfilling Russia’s maximalist demands of Ukraine’s complete capitulation and surrender to Russia’s demands.
The Kremlin has continuously refused to adjust its negotiating positions based on the lack of Russian military successes, remaining committed to continue the war in Ukraine.
