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Russian President Vladimir Putin has set out stringent conditions for initiating peace talks with Ukraine, calling for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from territories including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. These territories were seized by Russia following its invasion in September 2022, a move widely condemned as illegal under international law.
In a meeting with the Russian Foreign Ministry leadership, Putin emphasized that if Ukraine complies with the withdrawal demand and officially renounces its plans to join NATO, Russia would immediately halt hostilities and commence negotiations. He assured that Moscow would ensure the “unhindered and safe withdrawal” of Ukrainian forces under these conditions.
However, the likelihood of Kyiv accepting these terms remains slim, as Ukrainian officials have consistently vowed not to concede territory to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan, articulated in November 2022, centers on restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity as mandated by the U.N. Charter. Zelenskyy has also emphasized reclaiming Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
The proposal from Putin comes ahead of an international summit on peace in Ukraine scheduled in Switzerland, where over 90 countries and organizations are convening. Notably absent from the summit invitation list is Russia, reflecting ongoing diplomatic challenges in resolving the conflict without direct Russian involvement.
Recent weeks have seen increased international support for Ukraine, both financially and militarily. Leaders of the G7 nations have preliminarily agreed to issue $50 billion in loans backed by frozen Russian assets, underscoring efforts to hold Russia accountable. Meanwhile, NATO is preparing for a summit to discuss enhanced military aid for Kyiv, signaling continued solidarity with Ukraine amidst escalating tensions.
As geopolitical tensions mount, the situation remains fluid, with key stakeholders navigating complex diplomatic maneuvers amid sustained military engagements along the Ukraine-Russia border.
