MOSCOW – Russia will not participate in a follow-up to last month’s Ukraine peace summit, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated on Thursday, as reported by the state news agency RIA. Russia was excluded from the initial summit held in Switzerland, which saw the attendance of representatives from 92 countries. Moscow dismissed the discussions as futile without its involvement.
Ukraine has expressed its intention to host another summit later this year, likely in the Global South, and has hinted that Russian representatives might be invited this time. However, RIA quoted Galuzin as labeling Ukrainian preconditions for peace talks as an “ultimatum,” asserting that Moscow would not partake in such summits.
In contrast, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, was more reserved, indicating that there was currently “no precise substance” regarding the proposed second summit. “What proposals are we talking about?” Peskov questioned, noting that while President Putin and Russia are always open to dialogue, clarity on the discussions is essential.
Last month, Putin expressed Russia’s willingness to end the war, contingent on Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations and ceding control of four regions claimed by Moscow. Ukraine has outright rejected these demands, equating them to a surrender.
Currently, Russia controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Kyiv remains steadfast in its commitment to reclaim all occupied regions, insisting that peace can only be achieved with the withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of Ukraine’s full territorial integrity.