Russia has submitted a list of demands to the United States in an effort to end the conflict with Ukraine and improve relations with Washington, according to sources familiar with the situation. The specifics of Moscow’s demands are unclear, and it remains uncertain if Russia is open to peace talks with Kyiv before their terms are met. Discussions between Russian and American officials have taken place over the past three weeks, both in person and virtually. The terms set forth by the Kremlin are described as wide-ranging and consistent with previous demands made to Ukraine, the U.S., and NATO.
These demands include conditions such as denying NATO membership to Ukraine, agreeing not to station foreign troops in Ukraine, and acknowledging President Vladimir Putin’s assertion that Crimea and four provinces belong to Russia. Russia has also emphasized addressing the “root causes” of the conflict, including NATO’s expansion eastward.
President Donald Trump is awaiting a response from Putin regarding a potential 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a first step towards negotiations. However, the commitment from Putin to this ceasefire remains uncertain, as final details have yet to be determined. There are concerns among some U.S. officials, lawmakers, and experts that Putin could exploit a truce to further destabilize relations between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe.
The Russian embassy in Washington and the White House have not provided immediate comments on the matter. Zelenskiy has expressed optimism following a recent meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, viewing a potential ceasefire as a stepping stone towards a more comprehensive peace agreement.
Moscow has raised similar demands over the past two decades, with some of them becoming part of formal negotiations between Russia and Western countries. Previous discussions with the Biden administration in late 2021 and early 2022 did not prevent the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on February 24, 2022.
Recent statements from U.S. and Russian officials suggest that a draft agreement discussed in Istanbul in 2022 could serve as a basis for future peace talks, although no final agreement was reached at that time. The demands put forth by Russia in these talks included Ukraine renouncing its NATO aspirations and agreeing to remain nuclear-free. The Trump administration’s approach to negotiations with Russia remains unclear, with discussions ongoing on both resetting U.S.-Russia relations and reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine.
The Istanbul negotiations are described as “thoughtful and substantial talks” that could serve as a roadmap to achieving a peace agreement. However, General Keith Kellogg, a key envoy for Ukraine and Russia under the Trump administration, believes the Istanbul agreement should not be considered a starting point. He expressed the need for a completely new approach to negotiations.
Analysts suggest that Russia’s demands serve not only to influence a future deal with Ukraine but also to form the basis for agreements with their Western allies. These demands have been consistent over the past two decades and aim to restrict the West’s military presence in Europe while potentially expanding Putin’s influence on the continent. Despite engagement from senior Biden administration officials to address some of Russia’s demands, there is skepticism about Russian willingness to make concessions for peace or a meaningful ceasefire.
Russian demands include prohibiting military exercises by the US and NATO in certain regions, restricting US missile deployments within reach of Russian territory, and limiting military activities from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Observers note that these demands have been consistent since 1945, with concerns that recent US actions may be driving a wedge between Europe and the United States.
(Reporting by Erin Banco in New York and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Don Durfee and Diane Craft)
