US and Russian officials have been meeting in Saudi Arabia for talks to end the war in Ukraine, leaving Kyiv to watch from afar.
While the talks have been framed as “exploratory” by both sides, it is already clear that Moscow is insisting on conditions that will be unacceptable to Ukraine and its allies.
Here is a look at some of the key demands outlined by Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday:
Ukraine to cede more territory: Russia's ambassador claimed that parts of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea and four other regions, have been “irrevocably lost.” He mentioned referenda held by Russian-installed authorities in occupied areas, which Ukraine and its allies denounced as shams. Russia currently occupies significant portions of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions and is pushing for Ukraine to give up control of the remaining parts.
Zelensky’s removal: Russia wants Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky out of office, referring to him as “the self-proclaimed Ukrainian president” and his government as “the Zelensky cabal.” Zelensky, who won the 2019 presidential election, remains in office due to martial law imposed after Russia's invasion in February 2022.
“Neutral” Ukraine: Russia insists on Ukraine being a “demilitarized, neutral state, not a part of any blocs or alliances,” opposing Ukraine's desire to join NATO in the future.
EU and UK excluded from talks: Russia stated that the European Union and the United Kingdom are “absolutely unfaithful” and “incapable” of reaching any agreement with Russia due to “primitive Russophobia,” excluding them from mediation or any agreement on Ukraine.
