Once again, Russia performed the "peace talks dance" last week in Istanbul, and, as might have been expected, without any significant breakthrough. The tangible result? Another prisoner swap deal and an agreement to return the bodies of thousands of fallen soldiers.
The big problem? Russia is still refusing an unconditional ceasefire - a demand that Ukraine and its allies consider absolutely necessary to end the bloodshed. This is what the East Stratcom Task Force of the European Union's Diplomatic Service wrote in its weekly analysis of the Kremlin's propaganda campaigns.
Moscow "offers" the usual Kremlin remix: a two- or three-day ceasefire in "designated zones" (details of which zones are suspiciously lacking), while demanding that Ukraine withdraw its troops from occupied territories, recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and the four occupied regions, demilitarize, abandon NATO membership, and even adopt Russian as an official language.
In other words, this is not peace - it is a demand that Ukraine surrender and rewrite its sovereignty on Moscow's terms in order to be permanently contained within the Russian sphere of influence. Putin wants Russia to expand - that is his undisguised ideology.
Accusations and defiance
For its part, Ukraine remains adamant, insisting that true peace means respect for its territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, and security guarantees. But the Kremlin is not interested in genuine peace.
It continues its disinformation campaign, blaming Kiev for "terrorist attacks" on Russian military airfields and claiming that the West is dragging Ukraine into a proxy war "to the last Ukrainian". This is a well-worn Kremlin classic, designed to cover up Russia's responsibility for the war and shift the blame to others.
Attacks during negotiations
Adding to the hypocrisy, Russia has continued to carry out drone strikes even during its own proposed "truce", including a five-hour attack on Kiev earlier this week - a clear sign that its "peace" offers are more of a PR campaign than a genuine attempt.
Putin's claims of talks "without preconditions" are completely false - the Kremlin has repeatedly set conditions that practically require Ukraine's surrender.
The West and the Myth of "Sabotage"
European and other Western allies, often accused by Kremlin propaganda of sabotaging peace talks, are actually pushing for a lasting peace that respects Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.
Attempts to shift the blame onto Boris Johnson or other European leaders for supposedly "failing" negotiations, are unfounded and repeatedly refuted - this is another example of Russia's desire to sow discord and distrust among Kiev's partners.
Smoke screen for aggression
In summary - Russia's so-called peace proposals are nothing more than a smoke screen aimed at legitimizing its illegal territorial conquests and forcing Ukraine to submit. Ukraine is not refusing peace - it is refusing to accept defeat on Russia's terms.
As long as Moscow continues to insist on its maximalist demands and military aggression, true peace will remain unattainable.