Khaberni - Russia has declared its refusal to cease firing in Ukraine, according to Russian news agencies, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop fighting during Christmas.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We want peace, and we do not want a ceasefire," indicating that the proposed truce would allow Ukraine to gather its forces and prepare to continue fighting, while confirming at the same time that his country wants to end the war and achieve its goals.
Merz had offered the Russian President a temporary truce following his meeting with Ukrainian, European, and American diplomats in Berlin the day before yesterday, Sunday.
Peacekeeping Force
Regarding the formation of a multinational force to ensure a ceasefire in Ukraine, Peskov said that the Kremlin has examined "the press reports" related to statements by European leaders regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and that his country has not reviewed any official texts regarding that force, stating that what was published about that force was merely news in the press "We will not respond to press publications".
Merz said today that Europe and the United States are together prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, considering the Ukrainian demand for strong security guarantees as completely legitimate.
The German Chancellor added that US President Donald Trump assured him during a call yesterday of Washington’s readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
European leaders had proposed creating a "multinational force" led by Europeans and supported by the US to implement a potential peace agreement in Ukraine, according to a joint statement while meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin.
According to the statement published on Monday night, the force would be part of "strong security guarantees" for Ukraine from the United States and European powers aimed at ensuring that Russia does not violate any agreement to end the war that erupted in 2022.
The Kremlin spokesman indicated that Moscow, which had previously demanded that Kyiv give up territories it claims and refused any presence of foreign forces in Ukraine, has not changed its stance on the conflict.
He said, "Our position is known, consistent, transparent, and clear to the Americans. And overall, it is clear to the Ukrainians as well."
No to NATO
In the same context, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow would never accept, agree with, or even be satisfied with the presence of any NATO forces on Ukrainian territory.
Meanwhile, Paris renewed its demand for providing "strong security guarantees" to Kyiv before discussing the issue of Ukrainian territories that Moscow is asking to cede, according to what was reported on Tuesday by sources from French President Emmanuel Macron's office following meetings in Berlin discussing the topic.
Macron's circles, according to the French Press Agency, noted "progress on the issue of guarantees, based on the work done by the coalition of willing countries, thanks to the clarification of US support ways".
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to achieve peace quickly in Ukraine, seeks to stop the fighting at any cost and has repeatedly signaled his annoyance with Kyiv's positions, although the United States has been one of its major supporters in the war.
The Europeans and Ukrainians considered the American peace plan announced last November as biased towards Russian demands, and have since sought to modify it.
Demands for Compensation
In a related context, the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said during the establishment of the International Claims Commission related to the war in Ukraine in The Hague that Russia cannot evade paying the price for its war in Ukraine.
She added that the commission, which will verify the validity of the damages resulting from the war in Ukraine and which Russia will bear the cost of, sends a clear message to future aggressors that "if you start a war, you will be held accountable".
Top European officials, together with Zelensky, agreed today, Tuesday, on establishing an international body that will undertake the task of deciding on compensation payments to Kyiv valued at tens of billions of euros based on the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The "International Claims Commission for Ukraine," signed by 35 countries, will assess compensation claims and make decisions on them.
European Union leaders face pressures to reach agreement on what to do with about 200 billion euros (232 billion dollars) worth of frozen Russian assets during a summit starting next Thursday.
They are exploring ways to finance a loan for Kyiv, which would, according to the proposal, be repaid through any Russian compensation provided to Ukraine. While this plan has strong support from many member countries, it has so far faced strong opposition from Belgium.
