Ukraine is also expected to sign a similar agreement with the United States during the G7 Summit in Italy...
Digital Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Friday that he would order an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and move toward negotiations if Kyiv began withdrawing its troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow. He also stipulated that Ukraine must abandon its aspirations to join NATO. "We will do it immediately," Putin asserted in a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, as reported by the Associated Press.
Putin's comments coincided with the Group of Seven (G7) leaders' meeting in Italy for the G7 Outreach Summit in Apulia. Additionally, the remarks precede the 'Summit on Peace in Ukraine' hosted by Switzerland, which will see participation from numerous world leaders. However, Russia has dismissed this summit, labeling it irrelevant.
The announcement follows Ukraine's signing of a 10-year security agreement with Japan on Thursday. Ukraine is also expected to sign a similar agreement with the United States during the G7 Summit in Italy. Ukraine has long sought to join NATO and has demanded that Russia withdraw all its troops from its territory, making Putin's proposal likely unacceptable to Kyiv. So far, there has been no immediate response from Ukrainian officials regarding Putin's offer.
Putin emphasized that his proposal aims for a “final resolution” to the conflict in Ukraine, rather than merely "freezing it." He reiterated the Kremlin’s readiness to commence negotiations without delay.
In addition to the withdrawal of troops and the renouncement of NATO ambitions, Russia’s list of conditions for peace includes Ukraine maintaining a non-nuclear status, safeguarding the interests of its Russian-speaking population, and imposing restrictions on its military capabilities. Furthermore, Putin stated that all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted as part of these fundamental international agreements.
"We’re urging to turn this tragic page of history and to begin restoring, step-by-step, the unity between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe in general," Putin concluded.
Given the complexity and high stakes of these conditions, it remains to be seen how Ukraine and the international community will respond to Putin’s latest overture.
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