Russia's President, Putin, calls for absolute authority over four Ukrainian regions, hampering U.S. attempts to broker a truce, according to Bloomberg's reports.
Vladimir Putin Digs His Heels In, Demands Full Control Of Ukrainian Regions
The ongoing war in Ukraine has taken a concerning turn as Russian President Vladimir Putin insists on full control of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson - as a condition for any peace deal. This development has dealt a significant blow to U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Sources close to the talks shared with Bloomberg that Putin has been adamant about his maximalist demands, rejecting the U.S. proposal and pushing for complete control over the territories that Russia claims to have annexed but hasn't fully occupied.
Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, held extensive negotiations at the Kremlin on April 25, aiming to convince Putin to agree to a ceasefire along the existing frontlines. However, it appears Putin is unwilling to compromise. Two sources familiar with the meeting reported that Putin seems resolute in his demands.
The impasse in negotiations has left the White House in a state of frustration, and it seems that "direct contact between Putin and Trump" is needed to make further progress. Putin has declared these regions to be forever part of Russia, following sham referendums held during the full-scale invasion, and the annexation has been added to the Russian constitution.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the referendums a violation of international law, and most countries have refused to recognize their results. Initially, Trump said an agreement was "very close," but he later backtracked, suggesting Putin may not be keen on ending the war.
The U.S. had set a goal of reaching a permanent ceasefire by April 30, marking Trump's first 100 days in office. However, Putin's offer of a temporary ceasefire from May 8-10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II's end has left U.S. officials disheartened.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an immediate, unconditional 30-day truce and accused Russia of manipulation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded that Russia would not agree to a long-term truce without considering the nuances of Putin's position.
The negotiations involve a complex interplay of territorial demands, ceasefire conditions, and geopolitical conditions. The U.S. has proposed dropping Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations, lifting sanctions on Russia in phases, and offering Kyiv firm security guarantees as part of the talks.
However, Russia has dismissed the idea of returning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukrainian control, a demand put forward by the U.S. The ongoing conflict and negotiations highlight the stark differences between the two nations and the challenges in reaching a peaceful resolution.
** Insights:- Key Russian Demands: Putin's demands include the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, abandonment of NATO membership aspirations, demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, lifting of international sanctions, and return of frozen Russian assets.- U.S. and Ukrainian Positions: The U.S. has rejected Moscow’s unilateral ceasefire declarations and emphasized no territorial concessions. It opposes preconditions that weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty and has threatened to withdraw from mediation if progress stalls.- Operational Context:** Despite warmongering rhetoric, no active truce exists, with fighting ongoing in border areas like Kursk and continued Russian strikes. Ukrainian forces maintain limited counteroffensive operations near Sudzha.
- Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been unwilling to compromise, demanding full control of four Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
- In the ongoing war-and-conflicts news, Putin's maximalist demands, including the annexation of these regions, have left the U.S. frustrated and the negotiations in a stalemate.
- The general news suggests that Putin's conditions, such as abandoning NATO membership aspirations and lifting international sanctions, are being discussed in the politics of war-and-conflicts negotiations, with phases proposed for the lifting of sanctions.
- As the war in Ukraine continues, Putin has offered a temporary ceasefire from May 8-10, highlighting the stark differences between the U.S. and Russian positions and the challenges in reaching a peaceful resolution.
