Putin Sets Out Conditions for Ukraine Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined his conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022. Putin also demands that Ukraine renounce its plans to join NATO and recognize Crimea as part of Russia.¹

In a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Putin stated that if Ukraine meets these conditions, he will immediately order a ceasefire and start negotiations. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Putin's proposal, calling it an ultimatum to surrender more territory.

Putin's demands also include keeping Ukraine's non-nuclear status, restricting its military force, and protecting the interests of the Russian-speaking population. He emphasized that all of these conditions should be part of fundamental international agreements, and that all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted.

The Kremlin has repeatedly stated its readiness for peace talks with Kyiv, but has blamed the West for undermining its efforts to end the conflict. Putin's latest proposal comes as Switzerland prepares to host a conference on Ukraine, which will be attended by world leaders but not by Russia.

The US and Ukraine have also signed a 10-year security agreement, which Russian officials have denounced as null and void. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has described Putin's proposal as "not a peace proposal" but rather "a proposal of more aggression, more occupation".

The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The fighting has focused in the south and east, where Moscow has illegally annexed four regions. Ukraine's military has been on the back foot in recent months, with its troops outnumbered by the Kremlin's forces and running short of ammunition and weaponry.

In recent fighting, Russian defenses shot down 87 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine's military reported that air defense systems downed all 17 Shahed drones and seven missiles fired by Russia. The attacks injured six people in the Donetsk region, where residential buildings were hit.

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