Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday a proposal for a cease-fire in Ukraine, contingent on Kyiv withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renouncing plans to join NATO. Putin stated that if Kyiv meets these conditions, he would order an immediate cease-fire and initiate negotiations.
However, Kyiv has expressed its desire to join NATO and has demanded the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, making Putin's proposal seem unlikely to be accepted. There has been no immediate response from Ukraine regarding Putin's offer.
Putin made these remarks during a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, coinciding with a meeting of the Group of Seven nations in Italy and an upcoming gathering in Switzerland to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine. The United States and Ukraine recently signed a 10-year security agreement, signaling a milestone in their relations.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to ongoing conflict primarily in the south and east of the country. Russia illegally annexed regions in the east and south, although it does not have full control over them.
Putin emphasized that his proposal aims for a final resolution of the conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire, stating that Russia is prepared to begin negotiations promptly. He outlined broader demands for peace, including Ukraine's non-nuclear status, military restrictions, and protection of Russian-speaking populations, which he believes should be addressed in international agreements. Putin also called for the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.
If Kyiv and Western nations reject his offer, Putin stated that they would bear political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed in Ukraine. He insisted that Kyiv should completely withdraw from the annexed regions and effectively cede them to Moscow within their administrative boundaries.
While Putin's conditions for ending the war in Ukraine were clearly articulated, they did not introduce any new demands. The Kremlin has previously stated that Kyiv must acknowledge Russia's territorial gains and abandon its NATO aspirations.
Despite Russia's annexation of the four regions in 2022, it does not have full control over them. For instance, in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, Russia does not control the administrative capitals. Putin's proposal underscores his vision for restoring unity between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe as a whole.
