Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly outlined several key conditions to end the war in Ukraine, according to a Reuters special report citing three Kremlin insiders. These include a formal commitment to halt NATO’s eastward expansion, lifting Western sanctions on Russia, Ukraine’s declaration of neutrality, and guarantees for the safety of Russian-speaking populations.
The conditions surfaced during a more than two-hour conversation between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the talks, Putin agreed to draft a potential ceasefire memorandum, though no timeline has been confirmed for its completion.
Putin also reportedly seeks permanent revocation of NATO membership prospects for Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, along with the unfreezing of Russian assets in Europe. A Russian official stated that while Putin prefers peace, it must be on Russia’s terms—warning that failure to meet these could prompt a display of increased military force.
Moscow insists on Ukraine’s demilitarization and full control over four occupied regions in eastern Ukraine as prerequisites to any agreement. In contrast, Ukraine and its European allies argue that Russia should not be allowed to dictate NATO policy and demand robust Western security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump, expressing a desire to resolve the conflict, cautioned that Putin’s refusal to engage in peace talks would be “playing with fire,” hinting at the possibility of harsher sanctions.
