Russia supports the peace process, but without renouncing its obligation to guarantee its national interests.

On Tuesday, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the special military operation in Ukraine would continue, despite an ultimatum issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, who shortened the timeline for a peaceful resolution of the conflict to 10–12 days.

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“We took note of the statements made yesterday by President Trump. The special military operation continues,” Peskov said during his daily press briefing. He did not comment on Trump’s apparent disinterest in speaking again with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has held six phone calls since January.

“I would prefer not to make any assessment. I repeat, we are taking note of Trump’s statements,” Peskov reiterated, adding that a summit between the two leaders is not on the agenda.

The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that Russia still supports the peace process to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, but without renouncing its obligation to “guarantee its national interests.”

Peskov also acknowledged a “slowdown” in the process of diplomatic normalization between the two countries, as bilateral meetings have been suspended since mid-June.

On Monday, Trump announced that he was reducing the timeline for resolving the Ukraine conflict “to 10 or 12 days,” arguing that Russia is not committed to finding a solution. He also renewed threats against Moscow, warning of new sanctions and secondary tariffs.

“There’s no reason to wait. We’re not seeing any progress,” Trump said, adding that he is “disappointed” with Putin for continuing to launch rockets at Ukraine.

On Monday night, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev harshly criticized Trump’s stance, reminding him that Russia does not yield to pressure.

“Trump is playing the ultimatum game with Russia. Fifty or ten days, he should remember two things. First, Russia is neither Israel nor even Iran. Second, every new ultimatum is one step closer to war—not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!” he said.

Two weeks ago, when Trump issued his initial 50-day ultimatum, Medvedev—who serves as deputy chair of the Security Council—said Russia “does not care” about such threats.

Russia and Ukraine resumed peace negotiations on July 23 in Istanbul after more than seven weeks of delay, but once again failed to reach any concrete political agreement, as was the case in two previous rounds in May and June.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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