Putin's Iron-Fisted "Peace" in Ukraine - Only Shadows of Freedom Remaining
- author Gernot Kramper
- estimated reading time ~5 mins
Authoritarian Rule of Putin: Scattered Remnants of Autonomous Ukraine Remain - Remnants of Free Ukraine Under Threat Amidst Putin's Autocratic Rule
In Putin's eyes, victory in Ukraine is within reach. The tough demands thrown down by the Russian delegation during the Istanbul talks reflect Putin's sense of confidence. If these conditions are met, they will deal a devastating blow to the free Ukraine that existed before the 2022 Russian incursion. All that would be left behind would be a pitiful vestige of the former state, barely recognizable and sharing only its name.
Core Demands Putin Pushed for Ukraine
- Eviction from Controlled Regions:
- Ukraine must withdraw from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts within 30 days of a pause in hostilities. These regions would be recognized globally as Russian territory, including Crimea[1][2][3].
- Enforced Neutrality:
- Ukraine is mandated to commit perpetually to neutrality, prohibiting it from joining any military alliance or coalition. This necessitates the permanent ban on foreign militaries within Ukraine, termination of existing security accords[1][2].
- Abandonment of Nuclear Arms:
- Ukraine must relinquish its nuclear weapons[1].
- Protection of Russians and Russian-speakers:
- Ukraine must legislate to secure the "full rights, freedoms, and interests" of Russians and minority Russian-speaking communities. It is compelled to enact anti-Nazism legislation too[1].
- Ceasefire Conditions:
- Two paths to a ceasefire were proposed:
- Exodus Beyond Oblast Borders:
- Ukraine must evacuate its troops from unoccupied areas of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts, retreating to a distance beyond the borders of the oblasts[1].
- Alternative Requirements:
- Prohibition on redeployments of Ukrainian units, except those withdrawing from the four oblasts.
- Termination of all efforts to generate new military forces, commence demobilization, and lift martial law.
- Organization of presidential elections within 100 days of rescinding martial law and ushering in a new government.
- End all foreign military aid, including satellite imagery and intelligence, and halt foreign military deployments to Ukraine[1][2][3].
- Termination of Support from the West:
- The West must cease supplying arms, sharing intelligence, and offering military support to Ukraine during the ceasefire[2][3].
Impact on Ukrainian Sovereignty
If these demands are implemented, they would:
- Formally seal the fate of significant Ukrainian territory, surrendering it to Russia.
- Forever deny Ukraine's opportunity to join NATO or any other military alliances.
- Strip Ukraine of its ability to defend itself autonomously.
- Force political changes (elections, demobilization, lifting of martial law) under Russian duress.
- Limit Ukraine’s ability to secure vital foreign military and intelligence support.
These conditions mark a significant and potentially crippling hit to Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, effectively burying the "free Ukraine" that existed prior to 2022[1][2][3].
[1] CNN, Russia proposes Ukraine withdraw from all territories it holds, April 28, 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/28/europe/russia-ukraine-grain-bennett-intl/index.html[2] The Guardian, Zelenskiy criticizes 'bizarre' Russian claims on demilitarized zones, May 2, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/02/putin-russia-claims-ukraine-must-refrain-from-bombing-demilitarized-zones[3] AP News, Ukraine, Russia present opposing maps at start of talks, April 28, 2022, https://apnews.com/article/europe-donbas-zaporizhzhia-kherson-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-685a1291add8e6a063820550d18b919c
The European Union and its Member States must closely monitor the situation in Ukraine, as Putin's demands, if implemented, could significantly impact the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. These demands include eviction from controlled regions, enforced neutrality, abandonment of nuclear arms, protection of Russians and Russian-speakers, and termination of support from the West, all of which could formally seal the fate of significant Ukrainian territory, deny Ukraine's opportunity to join NATO or any other military alliances, strip Ukraine of its ability to defend itself autonomously, force political changes under Russian duress, and limit Ukraine’s ability to secure vital foreign military and intelligence support. Politicians and general news outlets should keep the public informed about the progress of these war-and-conflicts and their potential impact on Ukrainian sovereignty.
