Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to compromise on key demands for peace talks with the US, complicating efforts by President Donald Trump to reach a settlement in Ukraine.
According to Western security officials, Putin is pushing for maximalist demands on territory and neutrality, which are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv and European nations. In June 2024, Putin insisted that Ukraine must withdraw from four partially occupied regions as a precondition for negotiations.
Despite Trump’s claim that Putin would allow European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a deal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected the idea. Western officials believe Putin is prepared to continue the war if his conditions are not met, casting doubt on his commitment to a settlement.
The US-Ukraine delegations meeting in Jeddah on March 11 will focus on discussions that could shape Washington’s future support for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials plan to push for the resumption of US military aid and intelligence sharing, as well as a ceasefire in the air and at sea.
Source: https://kyivindependent.com/putin-unwilling-to-compromise-in-peace-talks-setting-maximalist-demands