Kremlin rejects Kazakh proposal to 'freeze' Ukraine war

Kremlin rules out freeze

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday dismissed a proposal by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to freeze the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that such a pause is "impossible" given Kyiv's current position. Peskov's comments came following talks in the Siberian city of Omsk between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart, according to Russian state media outlet Tass.

Moscow's conditions for peace

"Freezing (the war) as such is not possible," Peskov told reporters, adding that Moscow could halt hostilities by the end of the day if Ukraine makes the appropriate decisions. He specified these include a full withdrawal from the Donbas region and Kyiv's formal abandonment of NATO membership plans, noting that Putin had provided Tokayev with a detailed briefing on the progress of what the Kremlin terms its "special military operation."

Astana proposes 'Istanbul Formula 2.0'

During the Omsk meeting, Tokayev suggested freezing the conflict and returning to what he called the "'Istanbul Formula 2.0,'" referencing earlier negotiations that had achieved significant results. "Perhaps this conflict should be frozen, and we should return to the 'Istanbul Formula 2.0,' since significant results were achieved there. Then, naturally, under guarantees from the major powers, including Russia, we can move toward the long-awaited peace," Tokayev said, proposing that global powers act as guarantors for any settlement.

Kyiv maintains silence

Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued a public response to the Kazakh proposal. The war, which began in February 2022, has continued with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight as both sides maintain entrenched positions on territorial integrity and security arrangements.