Vladimir Putin in a suit.
Share this @internewscast.com

MAD Vlad will only halt the conflict in Ukraine if the NATO-supporting West agrees to stay away from Russia’s valued former Soviet territories – while an angry Trump cautions that he’s “playing with fire”.

The Russian leader demands a “written” assurance from Western authorities to cease NATO’s growth toward eastern nations, top Russian representatives informed Reuters.

Vladimir Putin in a suit.
Vladimir Putin has several conditions for ending the Ukraine blitz, according to top Russian officialsCredit: AP
Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers at a military parade in Moscow.
He wants Western leaders to pledge in writing to stop enlarging NATO eastwardsCredit: AFP
Yars intercontinental ballistic missile test launch.
He also wants the West to lift sanctions on RussiaCredit: AP

The eastward expansion here refers to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics.

The three senior Russian officials told Reuters that a second condition for a peace deal is the lifting of most sanctions on Russia.

Another condition cited is that Ukraine be neutral.

The fourth condition involves settling the status of Russia’s frozen sovereign assets in Western countries.

The Kremlin lastly demands protection for Russian speakers in Ukraine, the sources added.

One said: “Putin is ready to make peace but not at any price.”

The representatives reiterated Putin’s position: any peace agreement must address the conflict’s “root causes” – which, according to Russia, are NATO’s expansion and the West’s backing for Ukraine.

Kyiv has repeatedly said that Moscow should have no say in its sovereign right to pursue NATO membership.

The Kremlin did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment on these claims.

Vladimir Putin’s bold pledge coincides with Donald Trump’s furious warning on Tuesday that the Russian leader is “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks.

Illustration of a note that reads, "We promise not to expand east, signed: Nato powers".
Britain will be wiped off the map with nukes unless it stops helping Ukraine, warns Putin’s guru ‘Professor Doomsday’

In recent days, the US president has ramped up efforts to end the war, growing more frustrated with Putin.

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD.

“He’s playing with fire!”

Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Medvedev responded by saying the only truly bad thing to worry about was World War Three.

He said: “Regarding Trump’s words about Putin ‘playing with fire’ and ‘really bad things’ happening to Russia, I only know of one REALLY BAD thing: WWIII.

Trump and Putin had a two-hour call last week, in which Putin said that he had agreed to work with Ukraine on a memorandum.

The Kremlin says it’s currently drafting its version of the memorandum and that there cannot be a fixed deadline for ceasefire details to be agreed.

It comes as Ukraine attacked Moscow overnight in a brutal revenge strike following Russia’s three-day aerial blitz.

Ukrainian strikes targeted a key microchip facility in Moscow’s Zelenograd district, with explosions also reported at a drone manufacturing plant and another defence facility in Dubna.

Both strikes are believed to have caused significant damage to the Kremlin’s war machine.

Moscow’s defence ministry claims Ukraine launched nearly 300 drones overnight.

What is NATO?

By Eliana Nunes

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949.

It was created after World War II, primarily in response to growing concerns about Soviet expansion during the early stages of the Cold War.

NATO was officially formed with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 by 12 founding member states.

Since then, it has expanded to include 32 member countries.

The most recent country to join NATO is Sweden, which became a full member on March 7, 2024.

At its core, NATO operates on the principle of collective defence – an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Prosecution's 'inconsistencies' in prep school murder trial led to suspect's acquittal: jury foreman

Jury Foreman: ‘Inconsistencies’ in Prosecution’s Case Resulted in Acquittal in Prep School Murder Trial

The jury’s foreman in Raul Valle’s murder trial, who was found not…
Native Hawaiian man could face longer prison sentence after conviction for hate crime against white man

Hawaiian Man May Receive Extended Sentence for Hate Crime Conviction Against White Man

A Native Hawaiian man who had been found guilty of a hate…
US to revoke visas for some Chinese students

Impending Layoffs Anticipated at the State Department

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people would be dismissed. WASHINGTON D.C.,…
Supreme Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson triggered by 'state of our democracy'

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Expresses Concern About the ‘State of Our Democracy’

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, known for sparking debate, is facing…
Trump wants mass deportations, but US views of immigration are more positive since he took office

Trump Advocates for Mass Deportations, Yet American Opinions on Immigration Have Grown More Favorable Since His Presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mere months after President Donald Trump’s return to office…
Florida woman Caroline Shaw arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint after saying she had an 'urgent message' for President Trump

Florida Woman Arrested Near Mar-a-Lago for Claiming She Had an ‘Urgent Message’ for Trump

A woman was taken into custody after she attempted to access Mar-a-Lago,…
Trial date set for Austin Metcalf’s suspected killer in track meet stabbing

Court Date Scheduled for Austin Metcalf’s Alleged Track Meet Attacker

The 18-year-old suspect accused of killing high school track star Austin Metcalf…
Ohio boy crawls into claw machine, gets stuck, rescued with pride bruised but unharmed

Ohio Child Rescued Unscathed After Getting Stuck in Claw Machine

A young boy in Ohio got himself into a tight spot after…
2025 Saturn retrograde in Aries, Pisces: Zodiac signs most affected

Zodiac Signs Most Influenced by the 2025 Saturn Retrograde in Aries and Pisces

Gather round, folks — formative, punishing daddy planet Saturn, AKA the true lord…
Texas man on probation allegedly chases ICE vehicle, damages it after enforcement raid

Texas man on probation reportedly pursues and damages ICE vehicle following enforcement raid

Authorities reported that a man, who was released on bond for a…
Helicopter dropping cash from the sky.

Chaotic Scene Unfolds as Deceased Man’s Life Savings are Released from Helicopter, Leading to Frenzied Cash Grab

THIS is the moment a dead man’s life savings are dropped from…
Striking Birmingham refuse collectors on picket line.

Angela Rayner Suspended by Labour Union Amid Bin Strike Turmoil; Group to Reevaluate Party Relations

ANGELA Rayner has been suspended by Labour union Unite over the Birmingham…