Vladimir Putin has reportedly outlined his conditions for concluding Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
In February 2022, Putin directed Russian forces to invade sections of Ukraine. Despite numerous efforts to halt the violence, a peace agreement has yet to be reached between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Donald Trump has been acting as a mediator between the two nations. He recently met with Putin for the first time in several years to discuss potential resolutions to the conflict. Shortly thereafter, Zelenskyy traveled to the White House for discussions with Trump and several European leaders.
Following his discussion with Putin, Trump posted on Truth Social, suggesting a way for Ukraine to resolve the war “immediately.”
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump stated online.
“Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
It seems Zelenskyy is unwilling to relinquish Crimea, and it may be beyond his power to do so.
According to sources speaking to Reuters, Russia has officially laid out its demands.
Putin requires Ukraine to halt its pursuit of NATO membership, prohibits Western troops from Russian territory, and demands Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Donbas regions still under Russian control.
In exchange for conceding Donbas, Moscow would cease advancing in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, as reported by Reuters.
Currently, Russia holds around 88 percent of the Donbas region and 73 percent of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The revelation of Putin’s purported conditions coincides with a virtual meeting of NATO defense chiefs and Ukraine to discuss security assurances.
Thirty-two defense leaders from across the alliance participated in the online “candid” discussions.
Further updates are expected.