Russia has reportedly presented a list of demands to U.S. officials that it says must be fulfilled for the war in Ukraine to come to an end.
According to the report, these demands are also aimed at restructuring Moscow’s relationship with Washington, D.C.
Russia Gains Ground as Talks Unfold
The Kremlin’s demands surfaced shortly before Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it had successfully retaken Sudzha, the largest town in the Kursk region, which had been under Ukrainian control since the August 2024 cross-border offensive.
This development followed President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the military command center in the area, where he met with senior military officials.
While the exact details of Russia’s demands remain unclear, sources suggest they closely resemble previous proposals presented to Ukraine, NATO, and the U.S. These past demands included:
- Blocking Ukraine from joining NATO
- Ensuring no foreign troops are stationed in Ukraine
- Recognition of Crimea and four additional regions as Russian territory
Direct U.S.-Russia Talks in Progress
Over the past several weeks, American and Russian officials have reportedly discussed these conditions both virtually and in face-to-face meetings, sources told Reuters.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is awaiting a response from President Putin regarding a 30-day truce proposal, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already agreed to during cease-fire talks in Saudi Arabia.
As discussions continue, the Kremlin remains cautious, stating that it requires more details before making an official statement.
U.S. Seeks Direct Engagement
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the U.S. is engaging directly with Russia on the matter.
“We’re going to bring it to them directly,” Rubio told reporters. “We’re going to say that Ukraine is prepared to stop all battlefield activity and begin an immediate process of negotiating an enduring end of the war. And we’ll see what their response is. If their response is yes, then we know we’ve made real progress, and there’s a real chance of peace. If their response is no, it will be highly unfortunate, and then it’ll make their intentions clear.”
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Russia has maintained its firm stance, opposing any temporary cease-fire short of a complete resolution to the conflict and rejecting any partial compromises.
