Russia Has No Interest in Peace: Ukrainian Officer Sets Condition for Genuine Talks.

Statement by Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Zhorin

According to Novyny.live: According to Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Zhorin, deputy commander of the Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia shows no genuine desire for peace negotiations. In his view, meaningful talks can only begin once Moscow's military advance is halted. Speaking in an interview with the YouTube channel 'Armiya Media,' Zhorin emphasized that current negotiations are merely formal and yield no real results.

Zhorin stated that Russia has displayed zero interest in discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. He stressed the critical need to stop the progress of Russian troops, calling this the key factor for changing the battlefield situation.

“If the front line keeps moving even a little, they will keep pouring in more and more fresh forces,” he underscored.

The lieutenant colonel expressed concern for those who await each new round of talks with hope for positive outcomes.

“I feel sorry for people who treat every new round of negotiations like New Year’s or a holiday, only to end up disappointed,” Zhorin added.

Current Situation on the Frontline

Earlier, on March 21, 2022, Ukrainian helicopters completed their first flight into the besieged city of Mariupol. Zhorin also highlighted that while Russian forces are not advancing as quickly or suffering the losses they anticipated, they are still moving forward. “Yes, not at the speed they wanted, not with the losses they planned for themselves, but they are still advancing,” he remarked.

In summary, Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Zhorin stressed that achieving peace in Ukraine requires stopping Russia’s military progress; without this, real peace negotiations remain merely a formality.

Zhorin’s statement reflects the current state of affairs on the front and attitudes toward peace talks, which he believes cannot succeed unless Russia’s aggression ceases. This situation underscores the importance of military actions in ensuring stability and security in Ukraine, while also casting doubt on the feasibility of peace initiatives under present conditions.

Accordingly, further developments on the battlefield will significantly influence the possibility of reaching a peaceful resolution to the conflict.