The Kremlin has issued a response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposed “peace plan,” which aims to institute a freeze in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Russian media, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov categorically rejected the terms of the proposal, which was disclosed by the media over the weekend.
Erdogan’s plan, reportedly to be presented formally at the upcoming G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, outlines a temporary halt to hostilities, effectively freezing the front lines at their current positions. The proposal also suggests deferring Ukraine’s NATO membership application for at least ten years as a compromise intended to placate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Turkish leader has positioned himself as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on multiple occasions, maintaining communication with both Moscow and Kyiv. Erdogan’s plan reflects his ambition to play a more central role in the peace process and follows his earlier attempts to broker negotiations between the two sides.
His proposal seeks to stabilise the region by pausing hostilities and postponing Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, an approach likely influenced by geopolitical considerations and Turkey’s unique position within NATO and as a regional power.
Kremlin’s Dismissal
In a statement relayed through the Russian news agency Interfax, Peskov called the proposed ceasefire arrangement “unacceptable” for Russia. He stated that any suggestion to freeze the conflict along the current lines of engagement was “a priori unacceptable” for the Kremlin.
Furthermore, Peskov dismissed speculation that Putin and Erdogan had discussed the proposal, stating that there had been no such communication between the two leaders regarding this initiative.
“We have taken note of these media reports,” said Peskov, “but we have no concrete information regarding this proposal, nor do we know the specifics of what it might entail.”
The Geopolitical Context of Erdogan’s Plan
Turkey’s peace proposal coincides with reports that members of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s team are also exploring similar ideas to bring about a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, advisers close to Trump are considering a plan to freeze the conflict along the existing front line. This proposal would establish a demilitarised zone and potentially introduce a twenty-year moratorium on NATO’s acceptance of Ukraine as a full member.
Reactions and Implications
While the Kremlin has publicly rebuffed Erdogan’s initiative, the Turkish president’s diplomatic overtures are likely aimed at building leverage and testing the waters with both Western and Russian stakeholders. However, the proposal’s reception in Kyiv remains uncertain.
Ukrainian officials have consistently held that any peace agreement must respect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, rejecting any measure that would compromise these principles. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration has underscored its commitment to regaining control over occupied regions and opposes concessions that would allow Russian forces to entrench their positions.
Read also:
Kremlin Seeks to Sway Europe on Ukraine Talks with New U.S. Administration Looming
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