Putin Offers Cease-Fire in Ukraine in Exchange for Kyiv's Concessions

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a promise to “immediately” order a cease-fire in Ukraine and initiate negotiations under certain conditions. Putin’s proposal required Kyiv to begin withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and relinquish its plans to join NATO.

Unattainable Terms for Kyiv

While Putin’s offer may seem a viable path to peace, it is deemed unrealistic by Kyiv. The Ukrainian capital is steadfast in its ambition to become part of the military alliance and insists on the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its soil. There was no immediate response from Ukraine regarding Putin’s proposition.

Speaking at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Putin vowed to enact the cease-fire immediately once Kyiv meets the stipulated conditions laid out in his proposal.

International Efforts Towards Peace

Notably, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations convened in Italy, coinciding with Putin’s remarks. Simultaneously, Switzerland is gearing up to host world leaders, with the exception of those from Moscow, in an effort to lay the groundwork for peace initiatives in Ukraine. Furthermore, the U.S. and Ukraine recently signed a significant 10-year security pact, marking a milestone in their bilateral relations.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although facing resistance that prevented Russian advancement towards the capital, the conflict has primarily concentrated in the southern and eastern regions. Subsequently, Russia unlawfully annexed territories in these areas, despite lacking complete control over any of them.

Putin’s Intentions

Putin emphasized that his proposal seeks to bring about a “final resolution” to the Ukrainian conflict, rather than merely freezing it. He stressed the Kremlin’s readiness to promptly commence negotiations.

Broader Peace Terms

Notably, Putin outlined additional conditions for peace, including Ukraine's non-nuclear status, constraints on its military capabilities, and safeguarding the welfare of the Russian-speaking populace within the country. He underscored the necessity for these conditions to be integrated into "foundational international agreements," and advocated for the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.

Expressing the urgency to turn the page on this tragic chapter of history, Putin articulated the vision of gradually reinstating unity between Russia and Ukraine, as well as within Europe at large.

Putin’s Conditions for Cease-Fire

While Putin’s address marked a rare instance of clearly delineating the requirements for ending the war in Ukraine, it did not introduce any new demands. Previously, the Kremlin had indicated that Kyiv should acknowledge Russia's territorial acquisitions and forsake its NATO aspirations.

Demand for Territorial Concessions

Despite lacking complete control over any of the four annexed regions, Putin insisted that Kyiv should entirely withdraw from these areas and effectively cede them to Moscow within their administrative boundaries.

These conditions are presented as a means to facilitate the resolution of the conflict and reinstate unity between Russia and Ukraine, as well as within the broader European context.