Russia announces continuation of war until Kyiv makes final decision

The Kremlin has indicated that Russian forces will continue military operations in Ukraine until Kyiv makes a “decision” that Moscow deems acceptable. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, stated on Wednesday that the conflict will not subside until Ukraine agrees to conditions set by Russia.

Speaking to journalists, Peskov emphasised that Moscow’s position remains unchanged and is well-known to both Ukrainian and American negotiators. “Our stance is clear, and it has been communicated repeatedly to all parties involved in the discussions,” he said.

A new round of peace talks commenced on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, aiming to address the ongoing war, now entering its fifth year. However, Kyiv has categorically rejected Moscow’s demands, including a key condition that Ukraine cede control of the remaining parts of the Donbas region.

The Donbas, comprising the eastern Ukrainian oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk, has been a focal point of hostilities since 2014. Despite years of sustained conflict and Russian military campaigns, Moscow has failed to gain full control of the territory. The region continues to be held by Ukrainian forces in significant portions, underlining the resilience of Kyiv’s defence strategy.

Peskov’s comments underscore Moscow’s intention to press forward with its military campaign unless Ukraine agrees to concessions widely viewed as unacceptable in Kyiv. Analysts suggest that Russia’s insistence on territorial gains in the Donbas signals a continued hardline approach, potentially prolonging the war despite ongoing international mediation efforts.

For clarity, the positions of the main parties regarding the Donbas and peace negotiations can be summarised as follows:

The war in Ukraine has already resulted in extensive humanitarian and economic consequences, affecting millions of civilians and destabilising regional security. While international observers continue to urge dialogue, Peskov’s statement signals that Moscow intends to maintain pressure until its strategic objectives are met.

The outcome of the current round of talks remains uncertain, and experts caution that without concessions from either side, the conflict could persist for the foreseeable future.