Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a stark ultimatum to Ukraine, demanding the complete withdrawal of its military from four contested regions as a precondition for any peace negotiations. The Russian leader explicitly stated that Moscow would achieve its objectives through military means if Kyiv rejects these terms.
The Core Demands for Ceasefire
During a highly anticipated address at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Putin outlined his conditions for ending the ongoing conflict. He insisted that Ukrainian forces must completely pull back from the entire territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. These regions have been partially occupied by Russian forces since the invasion began in February 2022.
The Russian president framed this demand as an immediate confidence-building measure rather than a final peace agreement. "As soon as Kyiv declares they are ready for such a decision and begins the actual withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially announces the abandonment of plans to join NATO, immediately, at that moment, an order from our side will follow to cease fire and begin negotiations," Putin declared.
International Reaction and Upcoming Peace Efforts
This statement comes precisely as Switzerland prepares to host a significant international peace conference focused on the Ukraine conflict during June 15-16. Russia has not received an invitation to this gathering, which Putin dismissed as merely "another ploy to divert everyone's attention."
The Kremlin leader criticized Western powers for what he characterized as their obstruction of previous peace initiatives. He specifically referenced the Istanbul agreements that collapsed in spring 2022, blaming "the ultimate unwillingness of the Western sponsors of the Kyiv regime to seek a peaceful, diplomatic solution" for their failure.
The Consequences of Rejection
Putin left no ambiguity about the alternative to accepting his terms. He warned that unless Ukraine complies, Russia will pursue its objectives through continued military action. The Russian leader asserted that the current battlefield situation favors Moscow, suggesting that further delay would only worsen Ukraine's negotiating position.
Beyond the territorial demands, Putin reiterated Moscow's longstanding requirement that Ukraine adopt neutral status and abandon its aspirations to join the NATO military alliance. He also emphasized the need to protect the rights of Russian-speaking populations within Ukraine and called for the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.
This comprehensive statement represents Moscow's most detailed public articulation of its peace terms in recent months. It comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, with Ukrainian forces facing challenges along the frontline and continued debates in Western capitals about the level of ongoing military support.
The international community now watches for Ukraine's official response to these demands, which essentially require surrender of territories that Kyiv still claims as its sovereign land. The upcoming Swiss conference takes on added significance as world leaders grapple with how to address this latest development in Europe's most significant armed conflict since World War II.
