Russia has submitted a list of demands to the United States as conditions for halting its ongoing war in Ukraine and restoring diplomatic ties with Washington, though it remains uncertain whether Moscow is willing to engage in peace negotiations with Kyiv before these terms are fulfilled.
Two individuals familiar with the matter disclosed that over the past three weeks, Russian and American officials have held direct and virtual meetings to discuss these conditions.
According to a Reuters report on Thursday (13 March), sources—speaking on the condition of anonymity—revealed that the Kremlin’s demands are extensive and largely align with previous stipulations presented to Ukraine, the US, and NATO.
Moscow had earlier insisted that Ukraine must never join NATO, that no foreign troops be stationed in the country, and that Crimea and four other regions be recognised as part of Russia.
In recent years, Russia has expanded its demands, requiring that the US and NATO address what it calls the ‘root causes’ of the war, including NATO’s eastward expansion.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is reportedly awaiting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s response on whether he will agree to a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Tuesday (11 March), stated that he would view this as an initial step towards peace negotiations.
However, it remains uncertain whether Putin will consent to a potential ceasefire agreement.
Some international political analysts fear that the former KGB officer may exploit the truce to sow discord among the US, Ukraine, and Europe, using it as a strategic tool to derail discussions.
On the other hand, Zelensky described a recent meeting between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia as "constructive", suggesting that a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia could serve as the basis for a broader peace agreement.
Over the past two decades, Russia has raised similar demands, some of which have been included in formal negotiations with the US and European nations.
Notably, between late 2021 and early 2022, Moscow discussed such terms with the Biden administration while amassing thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border, poised for an invasion.
At the time, Russia had called for a limitation on US and NATO military operations from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.
It also demanded that Ukraine abandon aspirations for NATO membership, remain a permanently non-nuclear state, and grant Russia de facto veto power over foreign assistance to Kyiv.
Analysts believe that Moscow’s latest demands are not solely aimed at forging an agreement with Ukraine but are also intended to establish a broader framework for negotiations with Western allies.
