The situation surrounding the military conflict has entered a new phase following a sharp statement from the Kremlin representative. On June 2, 2026, Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on recent initiatives from Kyiv regarding the cessation of hostilities. At the center of the discussion were the timelines for a peaceful settlement and the strict conditions put forward by the Russian side.

The occasion for the comment was reports from the Office of the President of Ukraine. It was previously reported there that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had instructed the government to do everything possible to end the war as soon as possible, expressing hope that the hot phase would conclude before the onset of winter. However, Moscow's reaction proved unexpected and categorical.

Dmitry Peskov stated that the Ukrainian side does not need to wait for the cold or prolong the process. According to the press secretary, the conflict could be stopped almost instantly — within the current 24-hour period. However, this is possible only if a number of strict requirements are met.

"The Ukrainian side can stop everything by the end of the current day; an order is needed for nationalist units to lay down their arms, an order for Ukrainian military personnel to lay down their arms, and the conditions of the Russian Federation must be fulfilled. Then everything could end by the end of the day," the agency quotes Peskov's statement.

The key condition for an immediate ceasefire, according to Moscow, is the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Russia considers these regions its own. Notably, the wording repeats the theses of the Russian leadership from June 2022, although the geographical requirements have been adjusted in accordance with the Kremlin's current position.

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Official Kyiv and Ukraine's Western allies perceived these words as an ultimatum. Diplomatic circles believe that this amounts to a demand for unconditional capitulation and the voluntary cession of territories. The Office of the President of Ukraine emphasizes that such statements from Moscow only confirm the unwillingness to conduct real negotiations based on international law.

At the moment, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the official bodies of both sides have not provided comments regarding changes in the operational situation on the front line in connection with these statements. However, the very appearance of such an ultimatum in the public sphere indicates high tension and the parties' readiness for harsh rhetoric.