Russia's demands test US amid Ukraine ceasefire talks
According to two sources cited by Reuters, Russia has presented the United States with a list of demands for an agreement that would end the war with Ukraine and reset relations with Washington.
It is unclear what exactly Moscow has included in its list or whether it is ready to engage in peace talks with Kyiv. As noted, the Kremlin's conditions are described as broad and similar to those previously presented to Ukraine, the US, and NATO.
Previous conditions included Kyiv not becoming a NATO member, an agreement not to deploy foreign troops in Ukraine, and international recognition of Vladimir Putin’s claim that Crimea and four provinces belong to Russia.
Russia also demanded that the US and NATO address what it called the main causes of the war, including NATO's eastward expansion.
Negotiations on Ukraine
Recall that during Tuesday's talks with US representatives, Ukraine was willing to accept the American proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire. At the same time, the United States agreed to resume military aid to Ukraine and share intelligence data with it.
After 8 hours of negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States will now present Russia with the proposal signed by Kyiv and Washington, and the ball is in Moscow’s court.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video that the US proposed a complete temporary ceasefire, halting attacks using missiles, drones, and bombs not only in the Black Sea but also along the entire front line. "Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal—we see it as a positive step and are ready to take it," he stated.
