Russian President Vladimir Putin has released a list of conditions he says must be met for Moscow to agree to end its military campaign in Ukraine, placing NATO and sanctions policy at the center of his demands.
The key points include a formal halt to NATO expansion, particularly barring Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova from joining the alliance. Putin also insists that Ukraine adopt a neutral status, officially abandoning any bid to become a NATO member.
Additional conditions call for a partial rollback of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, as well as the unfreezing of Russian assets held abroad. The Kremlin is also demanding firm guarantees for the rights and protection of Russian-speaking communities within Ukraine.
These terms were reportedly outlined ahead of a new round of peace talks expected to begin on June 2 in Istanbul. Russian officials say they are prepared to negotiate, though many Western leaders have expressed doubt over the seriousness of Moscow’s proposals.
Ukrainian officials, while open to dialogue, remain cautious and have rejected any preconditions that undermine the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.
With the war now in its third year, international observers are watching closely to see whether these diplomatic overtures signal a genuine path to resolution or another strategic delay.