The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr ​Zelensky should have taken the difficult decision to ‌withdraw his forces from the Donbas area “yesterday” in order to end what it called the “hot phase” of the war.

Kremlin ​spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comment a day after ​Zelensky said Russia had told the United States it ⁠would harden its terms for a peace settlement ​if Ukrainian forces did not withdraw from Donbas within ​two months.

Peskov did not respond directly when asked if there was a two-month deadline, saying this was not the point.

“Zelensky ​must make a decision today for Ukrainian troops ​to leave the territory of Donbas… This has been stated repeatedly,” ‌he ⁠told reporters.

“And, in theory, Zelensky should have made this decision yesterday. As we have said, he should have taken responsibility and made this difficult decision. ​This could save ​the lives ⁠of many people and, most importantly, allow an end to the hot phase ​of this war.”

Zelensky said on Tuesday he ​was ⁠surprised anyone could believe that Russia could hope to conquer the remainder of Donbas within two months. ⁠He said ​Ukraine wanted a diplomatic solution ​but would only agree to a ceasefire at the current front ​lines.