The article discusses the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with a focus on Moscow’s maximalist demands for ending the war. The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that President Putin is focused on achieving his goals on the battlefield and has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible.
However, Russia’s refusal to hold credible peace talks has been met with anger from US President Donald Trump, who has shifted his policy towards arming Kyiv by announcing that he will send weaponry and Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine through NATO. Despite this, Putin remains determined to continue the war against Ukraine until the West agrees to peace on his terms.
The article highlights Russia’s growing list of maximalist demands presented in its “peace memorandum,” which includes recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four partially occupied regions in eastern Ukraine, as well as full Ukrainian troop withdrawal and demobilization. The Kremlin has also insisted that Ukraine dismantle and destroy all Western-supplied weapons as part of any ceasefire deal.
The proposed talks between Russia and Ukraine for next week are expected to focus predominantly on prisoner exchanges, but it remains unclear whether Russia will agree to a third round of peace talks.
