Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for Ukraine to withdraw from four eastern regions and abandon NATO ambitions as conditions for peace talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a new set of demands for Ukraine as a condition for peace talks, insisting that Ukrainian forces withdraw from four eastern regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—partially occupied by Russian troops. In a televised speech before Foreign Ministry officials on Friday, Putin also stated that Ukraine must abandon its bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Kyiv has dismissed these demands as “manipulative,” particularly as they were announced on the eve of a Swiss-hosted conference on the war, to which Moscow has not been invited.
Putin’s Demands for Cease-Fire and Negotiations
Putin’s proposal includes a cease-fire by Russian troops if Ukraine meets these conditions: withdrawing from the specified regions and officially giving up its NATO aspirations. “As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin the real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially notify about the abandonment of plans to join NATO, our side will immediately, literally at the same minute, follow the order to cease fire and start negotiations,” Putin asserted.
Kyiv’s Rejection and International Response
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry quickly rejected Putin’s terms, accusing him of trying to mislead the international community and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace. The Ministry’s statement highlighted that the demands are intended to split the unity of the global community and avoid genuine peace negotiations. This stance comes as a peace summit, backed by Kyiv and hosted in Switzerland, is set to attract representatives from approximately 90 countries.
Historical Context and Previous Demands
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has consistently refused to negotiate with Russia until the Kremlin withdraws from occupied territories. The fear is that any current ceasefire would only allow Moscow to regroup and launch further attacks. Putin has maintained that Ukraine must recognize the four regions, along with Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014), as Russian territory, and cement Kyiv’s neutral status under international law.
New Conditions and Broader Implications
In addition to his previous demands, Putin introduced a new condition for peace: the lifting of all sanctions against Russia by the U.S. and its allies. This demand follows a recent summit of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders, who agreed on a plan to use the profits from approximately $280 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide Ukraine with about $50 billion in aid. The U.S. has also imposed further sanctions on Russia, leading to the Moscow Exchange halting trading in U.S. dollars and euros.
Strategic Timing and International Criticism
Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the political consultancy R.Politik, commented on the timing of Putin’s proposals, noting they coincided with the peace conference in Switzerland. She argued that Putin’s conditions do not involve any concessions from Russia and are an attempt to dictate the terms for ending the war. “This is an attempt to dictate the terms for an end to the war,” she said. “It’s undoubtedly timed to coincide with the peace conference in Switzerland.”
Putin’s demands for Ukraine to withdraw from the eastern regions and abandon its NATO aspirations represent a significant escalation in the conditions for peace talks. As the international community convenes in Switzerland to discuss the conflict, Ukraine and its allies remain firm in their stance that true peace can only be achieved through the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories. The global financial and political repercussions of this ongoing conflict underscore the complexities of achieving a lasting resolution.
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