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Kremlin says Ukraine settlement 'impossible' without addressing wider security issues

18 February 2025 15:13 (UTC +04:00)

A lasting settlement in Ukraine is "impossible" without addressing the wider issue of European security, the Kremlin said Tuesday, APA reports citing Barron's.

"A lasting and long-term viable resolution is impossible without a comprehensive consideration of security issues on the continent," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, responding to a question by AFP.

He also said Moscow would not stop Ukraine from joining the European Union repeated that it remained opposed to Kyiv being part of NATO.

"With regard to Ukraine joining the EU, it is the sovereign right of any country... Nobody can dictate to another country and we do not plan on dictating," Peskov said.

"But it is completely different when it comes to security issues and military alliances. Here we have a different approach that is well known," he said.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "ready" to hold talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Putin himself said that he would be ready to negotiate with Zelensky if necessary, but the legal basis of agreements needs discussion considering the reality that Zelensky's legitimacy can be questioned," Peskov said.

Zelensky's five-year mandate would have ran out last year, but Ukrainian law does not require presidential elections be held under martial law.

Moscow has disregarded that and repeatedly said it does not see Zelensky as a "legitimate" president.

Zelensky has said he would be prepared to "compromise" and meet with Putin, but only after Ukraine and its allies agree a common position for how to end the conflict.