Russian President, Vladimir Putin has issued a list of conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, including a written pledge from Western leaders to halt NATO’s eastward expansion and a partial lifting of sanctions on Russia, according to three Russian sources familiar with ongoing negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to end the conflict—the deadliest in Europe since World War II—has recently grown frustrated with Putin.
Words of war between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
On Tuesday, Trump warned that the Russian leader was ‘playing with fire’ by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks, despite Russian gains on the battlefield.
According to the sources, following a two-hour phone conversation with Trump last week, Putin agreed to work on a memorandum with Ukraine outlining the framework for a potential peace agreement, including a timeline for a ceasefire.
Russia is reportedly drafting its version of the document but has not given a timeframe for completion.
Western and Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of stalling negotiations while continuing its military offensive in eastern Ukraine.
‘Putin is ready to make peace—but not at any price,’ said a senior Russian source close to the Kremlin, who requested anonymity.
The 5 conditions Putin is hellbent on
According to the sources, Russia’s demands include: A written commitment by Western powers not to expand NATO to include Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or other former Soviet states; Ukrainian neutrality; Lifting of certain Western sanctions; Resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets; Guarantees for the protection of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.
One source said that if Putin fails to secure peace on his terms, he will attempt to demonstrate to Ukraine and European allies that further military action would result in even greater costs for them.
