Kremlin Claims Russia Is Close to Victory in Ukraine War

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that Russia is on the verge of achieving victory in the war against Ukraine. The declaration came amid diplomatic activity by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who recently visited both Moscow and Kyiv.

"We are confident that victory is very close, we are confident in our military," Peskov told Russian media outlet Interfax.

Kremlin Blames Ukraine for Prolonged Conflict

Peskov claimed the war could have ended if Ukraine had accepted Russian-defined ceasefire conditions. He did not specify what concrete steps Moscow expects from Kyiv.

The statement followed rounds of negotiations between Witkoff, Kushner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky noted discussions went beyond just potential parameters for ending the war.

Diplomatic Context

Witkoff and Kushner made their first visit to Kyiv on September 6, meeting Zelensky after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Zelensky called for more frequent visits to demonstrate balanced engagement with both capitals.

Western officials have consistently rejected Russia's stated peace conditions, calling them tantamount to Ukrainian capitulation.