5 Ukrainian regions, ban on NATO, limits on Kyiv's army — Russian media publishes Moscow's official peace demands
The Russian delegation handed Ukraine a so-called "peace memorandum" with its proposals for a ceasefire during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul, Russian-state media outlet TASS reported on June 2, publishing the alleged document.
The Russian memorandum began circulating online following the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, during which the parties again failed to reach a ceasefire.
Among Russia's key demands, according to the document, is the official recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, none of which Moscow controls in full.
Russia demanded the complete withdrawal of all troops from Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk oblasts, followed by a demobilization in Ukraine.
Moscow's other demands include that Ukraine sticks to its neutral status, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO and other possible military alliances, a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, and an official end to Western arms supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
According to the document, Ukraine must abandon its claims for compensation for damages, guarantee amnesty for "political prisoners," make Russian the official language of Ukraine.
No foreign troops to be deployed in Ukraine, according to the document, which effectively goes against the European proposal for a potential peacekeeping force in the country following the end of an active phase of the war.
During the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation also presented a peace proposal, which included a prisoner swap in an all-for-all format, the reutrn of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as the release of all civilians held in Russian captivity.
According to the Ukrainian proposal seen by the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv would retain its right to join the EU and NATO. Ukraine also highlighted the need for security guarantees to avoid further Russian invasion.
In the meantime, frozen Russian assets must be used to rebuild Ukraine and pay reparations, while some of the sanctions against Russia may be lifted if a ceasefire is achieved.
Chris York
