Putin Demands Ukraine to Abandon NATO; Ukraine Rejects Ceasefire Proposal

Ukrainian officials have firmly rejected conditions set by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. Putin demanded Ukraine to relinquish its ambitions to join NATO and withdraw forces from four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye. Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, deemed these conditions as ‘irrational’ and ‘a complete farce,’ asserting that they equate to Ukraine surrendering its sovereignty.

Putin’s announcement on Friday called for Ukraine to begin withdrawing its forces from the aforementioned regions and to officially renounce its NATO membership project. In return, Russia would guarantee the safety of retreating Ukrainian military units and proceed with negotiations. However, Podoliak stressed, ‘there is no possibility of reaching a compromise’ based on Putin’s current terms.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed Ukraine’s stance, stating that Putin could not ‘dictate’ peace terms to Ukraine. Speaking at a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Austin emphasized, ‘Putin is in no position to dictate to Ukraine what it must do to achieve peace.’ German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also urged Western nations to not be intimidated by Putin’s actions, highlighting the Russian President’s varied tactics including nuclear threats.

Putin’s recent comments amplifying nuclear rhetoric have not gone unnoticed. German Defense Minister Pistorius mentioned that this hybrid warfare approach oscillates between threats and temptations, asserting that the West must stand firm and continue with their course. Despite these threats, Putin assured that Russia is not considering launching a nuclear strike, stating that such action would only be taken in extreme situations.

In another address, Putin criticized the West for freezing Russian assets, labeling it as ‘theft’ and warning of repercussions. He underlined the selfishness and arrogance of Western countries, deeming the world dangerously close to a ‘point of no return’ and the looming risk of a tragedy. Emphasizing Russia’s readiness for genuine peace, he proposed that Ukraine withdraw from the contested regions and forgo NATO membership, or face the responsibility for continued bloodshed.