**Russia’s Ceasefire Conditions Spark Tensions Ahead of Istanbul Talks**
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with no signs of a peaceful resolution on the horizon. In a statement made at the United Nations, Russia’s ambassador Vasily Nebenzia announced that Moscow is willing to consider a ceasefire – but only if certain conditions are met.
According to Nebenzia, Ukraine must stop mobilizing troops and Western countries must halt arms deliveries before any pause in fighting can be considered. This demand has been met with skepticism by Ukrainian officials, who fear that Russia will use any lull in the fighting to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
**A Ceasefire: But at What Cost?**
The conditions set by Nebenzia are seen as a non-starter by many in Ukraine and the West. By demanding an end to arms deliveries and troop mobilization, Russia is effectively asking for Ukraine’s military capabilities to be severely curtailed – leaving it vulnerable to further attack.
This move has been widely condemned by Ukrainian officials, who point out that Moscow has used similar pauses in fighting in the past to regroup and launch fresh attacks. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s proposal as a “slap in the face” and called for increased international pressure on Moscow.
**Russia Escalates Rhetoric**
Nebenzia’s speech at the UN also included some of the most inflammatory language used by Russian officials to date. He claimed that Ukraine was an “anti-Russian neo-Nazi entity” that Russia would not tolerate, and threatened to take action if necessary. This rhetoric is seen as a classic example of the way in which Moscow tries to delegitimize Ukraine’s Western orientation.
**A Path Forward?**
As the new round of peace talks approaches on 2 June in Istanbul, it remains to be seen whether any progress will be made towards a ceasefire. With Russia demanding concessions from Ukraine and refusing to consider any proposals that would limit its own military actions, the prospects for a peaceful resolution look increasingly bleak.
Ukraine’s officials are urging international pressure on Moscow to ensure that any agreement reached is fair and binding. In a statement, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for increased pressure on Russia, saying “pressure must be increased – immediately”.
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