Former Russian Defense Minister and current Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, has issued a stern warning to Ukraine.
Lost 162 Square Miles of Territory
Shoigu stated that the longer Ukraine waits to engage in peace negotiations, the tougher the conditions will be for its people, according to Ziare.
This statement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a peace agreement on June 14th, which Ukraine has not accepted.
According to Shoigu, since Putin's offer, Ukraine has lost 162 square miles of territory to Russian forces, further compounding the human toll of the conflict
Moscow's proposed peace terms include Ukraine ceding 20% of its territory, much of which has been illegally annexed by Russia, and abandoning its aspirations to join NATO—terms that Ukraine swiftly rejected.
Delay Will Make Everything Harder
Shoigu emphasized that Ukraine's window of opportunity for peace is narrowing and criticized the Kyiv regime for relying on European support, which he argues is costing the Ukrainian people dearly. He warned that Ukraine's delay in responding to Russia's peace offer will only result in more lost territory and lives.
Vladimir Putin's peace proposal includes several conditions: the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donbas and other regions claimed by Russia, Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership, the lifting of Western sanctions on Russia, and Ukraine's adoption of a non-aligned, non-nuclear status.
Putin has indicated that if Ukraine and the West reject these terms, the conditions could become even more stringent in the future.
Despite Russia's advances, Ukraine remains resolute in its stance. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has stated that Kyiv is open to negotiations, but only if Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as recognized by the majority of United Nations member states, are fully respected.
