Russia Pressures Ukraine After Massive Airstrike: "War Could End Today"

Kremlin: "Zelensky Must Order Withdrawal from Russian Territory"

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, demanded on June 2 (local time) that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky withdraw his troops, shortly after Russian forces launched a large-scale airstrike on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and other locations.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson (left). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to TASS news agency, spokesperson Peskov said at a briefing, "The war could end today," adding, "For that to happen, President Zelensky must order his troops to withdraw from Russian territory."

These remarks were made as spokesperson Peskov commented on President Zelensky's recent statements regarding ending the war.

On May 31, President Zelensky said in an interview with the U.S. broadcaster CBS, "I believe we should find a diplomatic solution and engage in talks before winter comes," adding that this depends on diplomatic pressure being applied to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The next day, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, told the media, "The President has instructed us to end this war as soon as possible," and added, "The President wants to end hostilities, if possible, before winter arrives."

Spokesperson Peskov's comments are interpreted as referring to the Donetsk region, which is the main point of contention in negotiations between the two countries.

Peskov emphasized, "Once again, I want to say that we are open to peace negotiations."

He noted that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia through the United States are currently on hold, but clarified, "This does not mean that all contact with the United States has been completely cut off," and added, "Communication is still ongoing through existing channels."

Peskov also suggested that the recent Russian offensives against Ukraine were in retaliation for the attack on a university dormitory in Starobilsk, a Russian-occupied area of Luhansk, on May 22, which killed 21 people.

Peskov stated, "The school in Starobilsk was neither a military facility nor a paramilitary facility," adding, "It was a place where young people, especially female students, were studying."

The previous day, President Putin had criticized the Ukrainian government regarding the dormitory attack, saying, "By opening a new chapter in a series of criminal acts, they have chosen to add a new dimension to the conflict."

On this day, Russia carried out a large-scale airstrike using hypersonic missiles and drones on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities. According to Ukrainian authorities, at least 13 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the Russian airstrike.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.