Russia Sets Three Conditions for Ending the War in Ukraine
Russia has reportedly laid out three key conditions for ending the war in Ukraine following several hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. intermediaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow.
According to the reported Russian position, the three conditions are:
1️⃣ Ukraine must abandon its ambition to join NATO.
Moscow wants Kyiv to formally give up its aspirations of becoming a member of the Western military alliance.
2️⃣ Ukraine must reduce the size of its armed forces.
Russia is demanding limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities as part of any potential peace settlement.
3️⃣ Ukraine must accept the separation of the Donbas region.
Moscow is reportedly seeking Ukrainian acceptance of territorial changes involving the Donbas, one of the central disputes in the war.
Putin reportedly argued that these issues were among the fundamental reasons behind Russia’s decision to launch the war.
During the negotiations, Putin also reportedly spent considerable time discussing developments on the battlefield, including the current front lines, Russian military advances and the areas where Russian forces are making progress.
U.S. mediators now in Kyiv
Following their meeting with Putin, Witkoff and Kushner have left Moscow and arrived in Ukraine, where they are expected to hold discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian officials.
The U.S. delegation reportedly traveled from Moscow to Kyiv by train, continuing the diplomatic mission aimed at exploring a possible pathway toward ending the war.
The next phase of talks with Zelenskyy could determine whether Moscow’s demands can form the basis for further negotiations or become major obstacles to a potential peace agreement.