Russia presents its conditions for ending the war in Ukraine

Moscow has put a list of demands regarding the war in Ukraine on the negotiating table with Washington, in an attempt to outline an agreement that will put an end to the current conflict and open a new chapter in the global balance of power. 

According to Reuters, citing two anonymous sources, Russia has presented the United States with a series of demands that would condition the cessation of hostilities and the normalisation of bilateral relations. Although the exact conditions have not yet been made public, they seem to be in line with previous Kremlin demands. 

Among the main points raised by Moscow would be a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO, the signing of an agreement prohibiting the deployment of foreign forces on Ukrainian territory and international recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and four additional provinces. In addition, Russia insists on addressing the ‘root causes’ of the conflict, including NATO's eastward expansion. 

The negotiations, which according to sources have taken place both in person and virtually over the last three weeks, reflect the complexity of a process in which positions are still far apart. The terms put forward by Russia have been described as ‘vague’ and in line with its previous demands on Ukraine, the United States and the Atlantic Alliance. 

For his part, US President Donald Trump is awaiting a decision from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the possibility of accepting a 30-day truce. This proposal was backed by the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky, who considered it a first step towards a peace dialogue. ‘Ukraine is ready for peace. Russia must also demonstrate whether it is willing to end the war or to continue it. The time has come to know the truth,’ said the Ukrainian leader. 

Zelensky has accepted the 30-day ceasefire, emphasising the need for the Russian side to accept the conditions of a complete truce ‘not only with regard to missiles, drones and bombs, not only in the Black Sea, but also along the entire front line,’ as the Ukrainian president explained. In exchange, the Trump administration announced shortly afterwards that it would immediately lift its suspension of military support for Ukraine and its intelligence sharing with Kiev. 

However, uncertainty persists over Putin's true willingness for a ceasefire, and some US officials and experts fear that the Kremlin could use the truce as a strategy to weaken unity between the US, Ukraine and Europe, as well as to strengthen its influence in the region. 

This is not the first time that Russia has made demands of this kind. For two decades, the Kremlin has sought to limit the Western military presence in Europe and consolidate its sphere of influence on the continent. For many analysts, the current attempt to negotiate a peace agreement is not only a response to the situation in Ukraine, but also part of a broader ambition to redefine the global geopolitical order. 

The international community is following the outcome of these talks with particular interest, as they could mark a turning point in the war and in relations between Russia and the West. The world awaits Putin's response and the possibility that a door to peace may finally open.