Vladimir Putin has demanded that leading Western countries provide Russia with written guarantees that the North Atlantic Alliance will not expand eastward. According to sources familiar with the Kremlin’s position, these conditions have been stated as necessary for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Kremlin Demands Concessions on Geopolitical Issues
According to these demands, NATO’s expansion must be officially halted concerning Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other states that were previously part of the USSR. In addition, the Russian side seeks to achieve a neutral status for Ukraine, partial lifting of Western sanctions, unblocking of frozen Russian assets, and guarantees for the protection of Russian-speaking populations on Ukrainian territory.
“Putin is ready to make peace, but not at any cost,” one source told Reuters.
As interlocutors emphasize, if Putin does not receive the desired conditions, he will attempt to demonstrate to Ukrainians and European countries through military successes that delays will only complicate the situation and make future peace even more painful for Ukraine.
Negotiations Stalled, Russia Maintains Aggressive Stance
The Kremlin is convinced that Russia can continue military operations for years, despite international sanctions and economic pressure. If additional opportunities arise on the battlefield, Putin is prepared to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory. At the same time, he is increasingly reluctant to compromise on already occupied regions and insists on the necessity of control over four partially seized areas of Ukraine.
Since February, negotiations between the parties have been ongoing with the mediation of the United States; however, significant progress has not been achieved. Kyiv and its European partners accuse Moscow of deliberately stalling the talks, as Russian troops continue offensive actions in eastern Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the desire to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible. In response to the lack of progress in the negotiation process, Washington has threatened to withdraw from the talks and impose new sanctions against Russia. According to Western publications, Trump has also expressed dissatisfaction with Putin’s position and is considering the possibility of implementing additional sanctions in the near future.