Skullduggery on the Table: Russia's Mega-Demands to Ukraine
Ukraine Faces Demands From Russia: A Breakdown of the Requisitions Russia Imposes on Ukraine
The Kremlin has revealed its demands to Ukraine for a ceasefire and potential peace treaty, a juicy three-pager that Ukraine will presumably be reviewing very soon. After the parley in Istanbul, Russia's emissaries handed Kyiv the counteroffensive document, which they aren't backing down from a single iota. Here's a peek at their ultimatum:
Moscow's Armistice Requirements
The Kremlin's plan features two versions for a 30-day truce. The primary version asserts an ultraconditional withdrawal - Ukraine must scram out of the partial control regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, currently under the iron grip of Russian troops.
If you're wondering, roughly 70% of Donetsk, almost the whole of Luhansk, and two-thirds of both Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are under Moscow's thumb. Except for the regional capitals of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, cities brimming with residents, which remain in Ukrainian hands.
On the off chance that you find the alternative interesting, Moscow also proposes an end to hostilities following the current line of battle. Ukraine is to halt mobilization, put a stop to foreign weaponry supplies (including Western reconnaissance), and do away with providing intel. A joint monitoring center yet to be organized is on the docket for supervising the truce.
Ukraine must guarantee that naughty little sabotage acts will cease in Russia. Following the end of martial law, presidential elections should be scheduled within 100 days of the truce. Ukraine has repeatedly, insistently requested an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a prerequisite for the start of genuine peace talks from Moscow.
Moscow's Long-term Peace Strategy
For a lasting peace treaty, Russia demands Ukraine unconditional international acknowledgment that Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are Putin's playground. Ukraine has always flatly rejected such recognition, viewing it as a violation of international law.
In the second point of the 12-point memorandum, Russia demands Ukraine's commitment to neutrality and staying out of military alliances such as NATO[2]. Further stipulations involve confirming Ukraine's nuclear-free status and restraints on the size of its military forces. Moscow also demands the dismantlement of "nationalist" military units and the National Guard[1].
Ukraine will be contractually obligated to safeguard the rights of the Russian population and recognize Russian as an official language[2]. The memorandum stipulates that Ukraine lift all sanctions, rebuild diplomatic ties, and resume gas transit through Ukraine to Europe[1]. A peace treaty, the document suggests, must be verified by a UN resolution after signing.
These demands, if accepted, would have severe consequences for Ukraine's sovereignty and military power, stuff Kyiv's unlikely to gulp down.
The community must closely scrutinize the ultraconditional employment and political policies suggested in the Kremlin's demands, as these proposals could significantly alter Ukraine's sovereignty if accepted. Furthermore, the general news landscape should monitor potential implications of the demands in war-and-conflicts context, especially in relation to territorial disputes and military alliances.
