Russian President Vladimir Putin has set out conditions for a ceasefire and peace talks with Ukraine, as follows:
– Ukraine must withdraw its forces from the entire territory of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine.
– Ukraine must officially abandon its plans to join NATO.
Putin stated that if Ukraine meets these conditions, Russia will immediately cease fire and begin negotiations.
These conditions, however, diverge significantly from Ukraine’s demands, which include a full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity.
A peace conference is scheduled to be held in Switzerland, bringing together representatives from over 90 nations and organizations. However, the Kremlin has criticized the gathering as ‘futile’ without Russia’s participation.
The conference is expected to focus on matters such as food security and nuclear safety in Ukraine, while avoiding territorial issues. Given Russia’s absence, it is anticipated that substantial progress in resolving the conflict will be limited.
