Russia rejected freezing of frontline and repeated demand for Donbas

Russia will not agree to an end of hostilities along the current frontline. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

According to him, Moscow does not accept the option of "freezing" the war without the so-called elimination of its "root causes." At the same time, the Russian diplomat asserts that a diplomatic settlement allegedly remains possible given the presence of "political will."

Galuzin stated that Russia will continue to adhere to the Russian interpretation of the agreements reached in Anchorage. It provides, in particular, for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Ukraine-controlled part of Donbas. Ukraine did not agree to such territorial concessions.

The representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry also allowed for the conclusion of legally binding security guarantees for Russia from Western countries. He did not provide a specific list of obligations that Moscow expects from the West.

At the same time, Galuzin accused the United States of a "contradictory" policy towards Ukraine. He stated that the supply of American weapons, the sharing of intelligence information, and other support for Kyiv allegedly do not correspond to Washington's declared desire for peace.

The deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi of attempts to "escalate." As an example, he cited Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.

At the same time, Galuzin did not mention that the strikes by Ukraine on Russian territory are taking place against the background of the full-scale Russian invasion and regular attacks by the Russian army on Ukrainian cities, energy, and civilian infrastructure.