European nations reject Putin's 'dictatorial' peace offer

The BBC reports that Western nations have slammed Russia's conditions for peace in Ukraine during a two-day summit in Switzerland to discuss ending the war, with the participation of over 90 countries.

The rejection has been uniform across the political spectrum. Social Democratic German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it a “dictatorial peace”.

Likewise, Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labelled Putin's plan of “propaganda”, suggesting that “Russia must withdraw from Ukraine”, per the BBC.

According to The New York Times, a few days before the summit, nations that make up the G7 approved a 50 billion-dollar loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.

Back in late May, several Russian sources told Reuters that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to sign a negotiated ceasefire with Ukraine, that would halt a nonstop conflict that for over two years has costed tens of thousands of lives.

However, as you might expect, this truce offer didn't exactly come from the kindness of Putin’s heart. The lonely man in the Kremlin had one major condition to stop the fight.

According to SkyNews, Putin would be ready to “freeze” the war if the international community recognized Russia’s gains in Ukrainian territory.

If current battlefield lines are recognized, Russia would be in possession of large swaths of four Ukrainian regions, but without the full control of them.

If Russia’s gains are recognized, Putin supposedly could sell a “victory” to his people, saving him further embarrassment and unpopular decisions.

Supposedly, Putin is concerned how his popularity has dipped among the Russian since the start of the special military operation in February 2022, and spending more money and mobilizing further troops would only increase his unpopularity.

Russian sources that spoke to Reuters also claim that Putin admitted to his advisers his frustration to what he perceives as the West blocking negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Likewise, the Russian leader allegedly felt dismayed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s unwillingness to sit down and talk. According to SkyNews. Zelensky went as far as to sign a decree in 2022 making “impossible” any dialogue with the Kremlin.

French newspaper Le Monde writes that just a few days before, the Russian leader dismissed the proposal made by the President of France of an “Olympic truce” between Russia and Ukraine during the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, when asked to comment by Reuters, affirmed that Russia was always open for dialogue and that the country didn’t want an “eternal war”.

However, peace between Moscow and Kyiv still feels like a distant possibility. But it’s also important to wonder what sort of peace is the best for all the parties. Not just the aggressors.

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.