Russia does not see the political will of Kiev and the West for peace in Ukraine.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin affirmed that a comprehensive, sustainable and just solution to the conflict in Ukraine largely depends on "eliminating its root causes".

"The West must stop supplying weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Kiev must stop hostile actions," Deputy Minister Galuzin said.

According to Mr. Galuzin, it is necessary to affirm Ukraine's neutral, non-military and non-nuclear status, carry out demilitarization, recognize new territorial realities and ensure the rights of Russian-speaking citizens, as well as Russian ethnic minorities living in Ukraine.

"Unfortunately, at present, we do not see the political will for peace in Ukraine, nor in the West," Deputy Minister Galuzin said, recalling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decree banning negotiations with Russia.

The Russian deputy foreign minister said that the Kiev government had "rejected all peace initiatives proposed by various countries" in recent months. Mr. Galuzin said that the "peace formula" proposed by President Zelensky in November 2022 had nothing to do with a real solution. Instead, it was "a set of ultimatums to Russia, justifying the continued prolongation of hostilities."

Deputy Minister Galuzin added that Kiev still intends to continue the conflict "until the victorious end". "This means the war will last to the last Ukrainian," Mr. Galuzin said.

"Washington and NATO members are actively helping Kiev in this, meeting the growing military needs of the Ukrainian government. All this only delays the prospect of a peaceful settlement," the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed.

Mr. Galuzin emphasized that Russia has never refused to dialogue with Ukraine and has always supported a political solution to the conflict. However, Moscow currently has no other choice but to fulfill all the goals of the special military operation.