Memorandum published: These are Russia's demands on Ukraine

At the talks in Istanbul, the Russian delegation presented a memorandum to Ukraine. The document contains demands for a ceasefire and a possible peace treaty. A glance at the list shows that Moscow is not backing down from its maximum goals.

Russia has published its memorandum of demands for Ukraine regarding a ceasefire and a possible future peace treaty for the first time. Moscow representatives presented the three-page document to Ukraine today at the second round of talks in Istanbul. Kyiv announced it would review the list. Russian media published the demands. With the memorandum, the Kremlin is sticking to its maximum demands and is effectively demanding Kyiv's surrender.

Moscow's conditions for a ceasefire

Russia proposes two options for a 30-day ceasefire. The first option envisages a complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Moscow-annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, which are currently only partially controlled by Russian troops.

Currently, Kremlin troops control almost all of the Luhansk region, about 70 percent of the neighboring Donetsk region, and only about two-thirds of the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. The regional capitals of Kherson and Zaporizhia, with their hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, remain under Ukrainian control.

The second option for a ceasefire envisions an end to hostilities along the current front . Kyiv would end its mobilization and halt foreign arms deliveries into the country. This would also include the provision of intelligence data by Western states. The ceasefire would be monitored by a joint center, which has yet to be established.

Ukraine is also expected to guarantee a halt to acts of sabotage in Russia. Elections in Ukraine are to be held no later than 100 days after the lifting of martial law . Kyiv, however, has repeatedly demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Moscow as a prerequisite for the start of real peace talks.

Moscow's conditions for a lasting peace

For a peace agreement, Russia demands from Ukraine, in its first point, internationally binding recognition that the Crimean peninsula, the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions are part of the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian leadership has always categorically rejected such recognition of the annexation, which violates international law.

In point two of twelve, Russia demands a commitment from Ukraine to neutrality and non-alignment – ​​meaning a binding renunciation of, for example, NATO membership. The other points, some of which have been previously disclosed, concern confirmation of Ukraine's nuclear-weapon-free status and limitations on the number of Ukrainian soldiers . Moscow also demands the dissolution of nationalist military groups and the National Guard. Furthermore, Ukraine is not entitled to reparations .

For a lasting settlement of the conflict, Moscow also demands the protection of the minority rights of the Russian and Russian-speaking population and the recognition of Russian as an official language . From Moscow's perspective, Kyiv should also commit to lifting all sanctions and resuming diplomatic relations. The document even includes a resumption of gas transit through Ukraine to Europe. The declaration of intent states that a peace agreement should be confirmed by a legally binding UN resolution after its signing.