Putin's Conditions for Peace in Ukraine: Withdrawal and NATO Renunciation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced specific conditions for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. In a meeting with senior staff members of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putin declared that Russia would immediately cease fire and begin negotiations if Ukraine withdraws its troops from the contested regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and officially renounces its plans to join NATO.
"As soon as Kyiv announces that it is ready for this decision and begins a real withdrawal of troops from those regions and also officially communicates its renunciation of plans to join NATO, the order will immediately be issued from our side to cease fire and start negotiations," Putin stated. He added that Ukraine must hand over the entirety of these territories to Russia, despite Moscow not fully occupying them.
Putin emphasized that if Ukraine and Western states do not accept these conditions, the situation on the battlefield would not turn in Ukraine's favor. He also promised a guaranteed safe and unhindered withdrawal of Ukrainian military units from the disputed areas should the offer be accepted.
Ukraine, however, has consistently rejected the notion of ceding any territory to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated the importance of restoring the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "The restoration of sovereignty is the most important principle for ending the hot phase of the war," Zelensky said, stressing that Ukraine's territorial integrity should not be a subject of negotiations.
Putin's proposal was made on the eve of a peace summit in Switzerland, to which Russia was not invited. He denounced the summit, calling it a "stratagem to divert everyone's attention" and stressed that a peaceful resolution is impossible without Russian participation. "Without the participation of Russia and without an honest and responsible dialogue with us, it is impossible to achieve a peaceful solution in Ukraine and the security of Europe in general," Putin stated.
In addition to these conditions, Putin also reiterated Russia's demand for a "neutral, non-bloc, and non-nuclear" Ukraine, emphasizing the need for the demilitarization and denazification of the country. He insisted that the rights of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine must be fully guaranteed and that new territorial realities, including the status of Crimea, Sevastopol, and the Donetsk and Luhansk republics as part of the Russian Federation, must be recognized.
Putin concluded by warning that if Kyiv and Western capitals reject these proposals, they will bear political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed in Ukraine. He stated that Europe must cultivate good relations with Russia to avoid tragedy due to "the selfishness and arrogance of Western countries."
- The peace summit in Switzerland will bring together dozens of heads of state but notably excludes Russian participation. Without direct engagement with Russia, achieving a sustainable peace agreement appears highly challenging. The Ukrainian government remains steadfast in its position, reaffirming its refusal to concede any territory or alter its international stance to meet Russian demands.
- Putin's statements come amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflicts on the ground. As the war drags on, both sides continue to suffer significant losses, with no clear path to resolution. International observers and analysts maintain a watchful eye on the unfolding events, assessing the global implications of the conflict and the potential for further escalation.
