Russia lays out terms for peace talks with US on Ukraine: Report

Russia has presented the United States with a list of demands for a deal to end its war against Ukraine and reset relations with Washington, reported Reuters citing people aware of the matter.

Russian and American officials have discussed the conditions in both in-person and virtual meetings over the past three weeks, according to the report, although the exact terms proposed by Moscow remain unclear.

The broad demands are reportedly similar to previous conditions Russia has set for Ukraine, the US, and NATO – barring Ukraine from NATO membership, prohibiting foreign troop deployments in Ukraine, and internationally recognising Russia’s claims over Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces.

Russian officials have also suggested that any peace agreement should include the unfreezing of Russian assets in the West and the lifting of US and European Union sanctions.

The Trump administration has reportedly indicated a willingness to consider sanctions relief as part of the negotiations.

Truce proposal

US President Donald Trump is awaiting a response from Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on whether he will agree to a proposed 30-day ceasefire.

Putin has repeatedly rejected calls for a temporary ceasefire at this stage, maintaining that a pause in fighting would only allow Ukrainian forces to regroup. He has insisted that Moscow seeks a comprehensive agreement leading to a lasting settlement.

“As for the settlement of the situation, I would like to emphasize that it shouldn’t be aimed at a brief truce — some sort of a break for regrouping troops and rearmament in order to continue the conflict — but a long-term peace,” Putin has said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said that the Trump administration would present the ceasefire offer to the Russian president.

“We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio said. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”

The Kremlin responded cautiously to reports that Ukraine has accepted a US-proposed ceasefire during discussions in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, saying it needs further details before making an official statement.