Russian President Vladimir Putin has set forth explicit conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine, demanding Western leaders provide a written commitment to halt NATO’s eastward expansion and to ease some sanctions on Russia. These details emerge from interviews with three Russian sources close to the ongoing negotiation process.
US President Donald Trump, vocal about his desire to conclude the deadliest European war since World War II, has expressed rising frustration towards Putin amid stalled ceasefire discussions and Russia's military advances. After a two-hour telephone conversation last week, Putin indicated willingness to collaborate on a peace memorandum defining ceasefire terms. Russia is currently drafting its version, with no clear timeline for completion.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian and European officials accuse Moscow of deliberate delay tactics to strengthen military positions in eastern Ukraine. A senior Russian insider noted, “Putin is ready to make peace but not at any price.”
The Kremlin reportedly seeks a binding pledge from Western powers forbidding NATO membership for Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other former Soviet states. Additionally, Moscow demands Ukraine’s neutrality, partial rollback of Western sanctions, resolution of frozen Russian sovereign assets abroad, and protections for Russian-speaking populations within Ukraine.
If a peace deal on these terms becomes unattainable, Putin intends to demonstrate that continued military gains will lead to harsher peace conditions, a source explained. Russian officials maintain any settlement must address the conflict’s “root causes,” primarily NATO enlargement and Western support for Ukraine.
In contrast, Kyiv firmly rejects any Russian veto over its NATO ambitions, emphasizing the necessity of enforceable Western security guarantees to deter future aggression. NATO asserts its “open door” policy remains unchanged despite Russian demands.
Since ordering the invasion in February 2022, Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory but continues to incur heavy losses amidst ongoing escalations. Economic challenges, including labor shortages and declining oil revenues, have raised concerns within the Russian leadership.
Trump, who has long touted his rapport with Putin, warned Washington may escalate sanctions if Moscow further delays negotiations. He also publicly condemned Russia’s recent aerial attacks on Ukraine.
Conflicting signals persist regarding Putin’s negotiation stance; sources indicate he has hardened territorial demands, insisting on full control over four eastern Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia. Moscow’s long-standing demand to exclude Ukraine from NATO remains central.
Historically, NATO leaders agreed at the 2008 Bucharest summit that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance, a plan opposed by Russia. The Kremlin references unfulfilled Western assurances allegedly made during the post-Cold War era as justification for its position.
NATO maintains its enlargement policy is sovereign and rejects Russian veto power, while designating Russia as a primary security threat in the Euro-Atlantic region. Russia’s invasion provoked Finland’s NATO accession in 2023, followed by Sweden in 2024.
European leaders warn that a Russian victory in Ukraine could embolden Moscow to threaten the alliance, potentially triggering a catastrophic global conflict. Russia denies these assertions but acknowledges the conflict risks broader escalation.
