Up next
Author
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
During the peace negotiations, Russia conveyed to Ukraine that it would agree to cease the conflict only if Kyiv forfeits significant additional regions and consents to restrictions on its military size, as per a memorandum reported by Russian media.
The conditions, officially presented at talks in Istanbul overnight, underscored Moscow’s steadfastness on its established war objectives, despite pleas from US President Donald Trump to halt the “bloodbath” in Ukraine.

Ukraine has consistently dismissed the Russian stipulations as equivalent to capitulation.

What did the negotiations look like?

Delegations from the warring sides met for barely an hour, for only the second such round of negotiations since March 2022. They agreed to exchange more prisoners of war — focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded — and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers.
But there was no breakthrough on a proposed ceasefire that Ukraine, its European allies and Washington have all urged Russia to accept.

Russia claims it seeks a lasting resolution to the conflict, not merely a temporary ceasefire; meanwhile, Ukraine states that Russian President Vladimir Putin is uninterested in peace talks. Trump has indicated that the United States is prepared to abandon its mediation role unless the parties make headway towards an agreement.

What is Russia demanding?

The Russian memorandum, which was published by the Interfax news agency, said a settlement of the war would require international recognition of Crimea — a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 — and four other regions of Ukraine that Moscow has claimed as its own territory. Ukraine would have to withdraw its forces from all of them.

Russia reiterated its demands that Ukraine embrace a neutral status — ruling out NATO membership — while ensuring the rights of Russian speakers, recognizing Russian as an official language, and instituting a legal prohibition against the glorification of Nazism. Ukraine dismisses the Nazi allegation as ridiculous and asserts it does not discriminate against Russian-speaking individuals.

Russia also formalised its terms for any ceasefire en route to a peace settlement, presenting two options that both appeared to be non-starters for Ukraine.
Option one, according to the text, was for Ukraine to start a full military withdrawal from the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Of those, Russia fully controls the first but holds only about 70 per cent of the rest.

Option two was a package that would require Ukraine to cease military redeployments and accept a halt to foreign provision of military aid, satellite communications and intelligence. It would also have to lift martial law and hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 100 days.
Ukrainian children attend a Ukraine solidarity march in central London

Ukrainian children at a Ukraine solidarity march in central London on Sunday. Source: AAP / Andy Rain / EPA

How did Ukraine respond?

Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov, who headed his country’s delegation, said Ukraine — which has drawn up its own peace roadmap — would review the Russian document, on which he offered no immediate comment.
According to the proposed roadmap, a copy of which was seen by the Reuters news agency, Ukraine wants no restrictions on its military strength after any peace deal, no international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Russian forces, and reparations.
Ukraine has proposed holding more talks before the end of June, but believes only a meeting between its president Volodomyr Zelenskyy and Putin can resolve the many issues of contention, Umerov said.
Share this @internewscast.com
FacebookXRedditPinterest
You May Also Like
Shooting at Point Lonsdale

Shooting in Victorian Beach Town Leaves One Seriously Injured, Suspect in Custody

An investigation into a shooting is under way after a man arrived…

Discover the Best Tips for Viewing the Spectacular Geminid Meteor Shower in Australia This Weekend

Australia is entering the peak viewing window for the Geminid meteor shower,…
The moment group of nine Melbourne High boys open their ATAR results together in 2024.

State’s ATAR Results Released, Ending Anticipation for Students

Thousands of recent high school graduates are anxiously awaiting their ATAR results,…
Niddrie crash survivor Jorjina Odisho

Survivor’s Shocking Tale: Medical Centre Crash Felt Like a Bomb Explosion

During a routine visit to her doctor in Niddrie, Jorjina Odisho, 51,…

Groundbreaking Discovery: Humans Mastered Fire-Making 400,000 Years Ago, Study Unveils

Scientists have announced they have discovered evidence in the United Kingdom of…
Former pilot wins appeal, retrial ordered over deaths of campers

Ex-Pilot Secures Appeal Victory: New Trial Ordered in Camper Deaths Case

A new trial awaits former pilot Greg Lynn, who stands accused of…
The Richard Mille rm88 Smiley watch is worth around $5.7 million, with only 50 ever made. One has now been stolen from a residence in Canberra, Australia.

French Heist Leaves Canberra Reeling: $8.5M in Luxury Watches Vanish Without a Trace

A rare watch worth nearly $6 million is one of several luxury…

US State Department’s Font Face-lift: The Shift from Calibri to Times New Roman Explained

US secretary of state Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats to return to…
Shoppers in Pitt Street Mall for the Boxing Day sales. Population, economy, demographics, people, Australia, generic

Over 56,000 Australians Exit Workforce, Yet Unemployment Rate Holds Steady

The nation’s unemployment rate has remained steady at 4.3 per cent, adding…
Tom Silvagni pictured leaving court IMPORTANT **ONLY USE IF SUPPRESSION ORDER IS LIFTED**

Shocking Revelation: AFL Legend’s Son Exposed as Convicted Rapist Amid Court Order Lift

The identity of the individual from a prominent family, recently convicted of…

Global Reactions Pour in as Australia’s Groundbreaking Teen Social Media Ban Takes Effect

Australia’s “world-leading” social media ban is now in effect — but D-Day…
A lifelike silicone mask seized by police.

Authorities Discover Silicone Mask, Grenade, Firearms, and 15,000 Rounds of Ammunition in Storage Unit Investigation

A man has been charged after $140,000 and multiple weapons, including a…