Forcing peace on Russia could be deadly, Kremlin warns

In an address to the UN Security Council on September 24th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed that reaching peace involves more than mere dialogue with Moscow, underlining the importance of military action to cease the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

"This war can't be calmed by talks. Action is needed," Zelensky said during his address in front of the UN Security Council. “Putin has violated so many international norms and rules that he won't stop on his own,” he continued. 

“Russia can only be forced into peace, and that is exactly what's needed — forcing Russia into peace, as the sole aggressor in this war, the sole violator of the U.N. Charter,” Zelensky added according to The Kyiv Independent. 

Zelensky also condemned North Korea and Iran for supplying weapons to Russia, but it was the Ukrainian President’s remarks about using force that caught the attention of the Kremlin and Russian journalists. 

"Russia has no legitimate reason -- none at all -- for making Iran and North Korea de facto accomplices in its criminal war in Europe, with their weapons killing us, killing Ukrainians," Zelensky said according to France24. 

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov was questioned by reporters about Zelensky’s comments in front of the UN Security Council and asked if Moscow could be forced into peace, Peskov replied: "This position is a fatal mistake. They’re deeply mistaken."

Ukrainska Pravda reported Peskov went on to make the usual threats against Ukrainian authorities and Newsweek noted that Peskov said such a line of thinking would only lead to consequences for the Ukrainians.

"This is the biggest misconception, which of course will inevitably have consequences for the Kyiv regime,” Peskov explained to reporters according to Newsweek’s translation of his comments, adding it would be “impossible” to force Russia into peace. 

"Russia in fact is in favor of peace, but on the condition of ensuring the foundations of its security and the fulfillment of those tasks of the special military operation," Peskov explained. 

“But unless these goals are achieved, it is impossible to force Russia," Peskov added.  So it is unlikely, at least according to the Kremlin’s spokesperson, that Russia could be forced into peace with Ukraine by the world. 

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