Russia's Demands Unveiled: Ukraine's Path to a Ceasefire and Peace Treaty
Russia's Demands Toward Ukraine Unveiled
In a landmark move, the Russian delegation has issued a memorandum detailing their demands for a ceasefire and potential peace treaty with Ukraine. Here's a breakdown of the demands, which, if accepted, will significantly reshape Ukraine's future.
Ceasefire Conditions
Russia proposes two paths to a 30-day ceasefire:
- Route 1: A complete withdrawal of Ukrainian military presence from territories currently owned by Russian forces in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Notably, this includes regions like Luhansk, where Russian troops currently occupy almost the entire region, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where the regional capitals still remain under Ukrainian control.
- Route 2: A suspension of hostilities along the existing frontlines. This route requires Ukraine to cease mobilization efforts, halt foreign arms supplies, and share less intelligence with Western states. Joint monitoring of the ceasefire is to be established through a yet-to-be-created center.
In addition to these requirements, Ukraine must halt sabotage activities in Russia, and presidential elections must be held within 100 days of the lifting of martial law. Interestingly, Ukraine had earlier insisted on Moscow accepting a conditional 30-day truce as a precondition for genuine peace talks.
Peace Treaty Conditions
For a lasting peace, Russia demands several concessions from Ukraine:
- International Recognition of Annexation: Recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia by the international community.
- Neutrality and Non-Alignment: A commitment to permanent neutrality and non-alignment, effectively barring Ukraine from joining military alliances like NATO.
- Ban on Foreign Military Presence: An outright prohibition on foreign military personnel and termination of existing security agreements with other countries.
- Nuclear Weapons Ban: A permanent ban on Ukraine owning nuclear weapons.
- Dissolution of Nationalist Military Groups: Dissolution of nationalist military groups and the National Guard in Ukraine.
- Lifting of Sanctions and Diplomatic Restoration: Lifting of all economic sanctions and resumption of diplomatic relations.
- Resumption of Gas Transit: Resumption of Russian gas transit through Ukraine to Europe.
To solidify the peace treaty, Russia demands the approval of a UN resolution after signing.
Additional Requirements
Lastly, Russia insists on:
- Language Status: Recognition of Russian as an official language in Ukraine, equal in standing to the Ukrainian language.
- Protection of Russian Interests: Full protection of the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian and Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine, with legislation against glorifying Nazism.
- Economic and Compensation Issues: Abandonment of compensation claims for damages caused by the conflict.
- Amnesty: Granting of amnesty to "political prisoners" as defined by Russia.
- End to Western Assistance: Termination of all military aid and intelligence sharing provided by the West.
In short, these demands, if met, could mark a fundamental shift in Ukraine's political landscape. Ukraine now faces a critical decision: either to accommodate these demands or risk continued conflict.
In the proposed conditions for a ceasefire and peace treaty with Ukraine, Russia has outlined several key policies that could significantly affect Ukraine's future, including a community policy regulating the status of the Russian language and the protection of Russian interests, as well as a political policy calling for Ukraine's permanent neutrality and non-alignment, which would bar Ukraine from joining military alliances such as NATO. Additionally, the employment policy of Ukraine may be impacted, as Russia demands the dissolution of nationalist military groups and the National Guard, and a ban on foreign military presence. In the context of global events, these demands come amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts and general-news regarding Russia's demands on Ukraine.
