Russia has presented the US with a list of demands to end its war against Ukraine and reset relations with Washington, according to sources. The demands include no NATO membership for Kyiv, no foreign troops in Ukraine, and international recognition of President Vladimir Putin’s claim that Crimea and four provinces belong to Russia.
The Biden administration discussed the terms prior to the Ukraine invasion, but it’s unclear if Putin will engage seriously in peace talks. US officials fear that Putin would use a truce to intensify his efforts to divide the US, Ukraine, and Europe.
Russia has made similar demands over the last two decades, including limiting the West’s ability to build a stronger military presence in Europe. Experts say there’s no sign that Russia is willing to make any concessions, and the demands haven’t changed at all.
The Trump administration appears to be divided on how to proceed with negotiations with Moscow. While some officials see the talks as “cogent and substantive,” others don’t think the Istanbul agreement from 2020 is a starting point for a peace deal. The US is engaged in two separate conversations: one on resetting US-Russia relations and the other on a Ukraine peace agreement.
Russia’s demands are likely intended not only to shape an eventual agreement with Ukraine but also to be the basis of accords with its Western supporters. The Kremlin’s stance on the matter remains unchanged, leaving the US uncertain about how to proceed.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-lays-out-demands-talks-with-us-ukraine-sources-say-2025-03-13