On the 2nd, Russia presented the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from occupied territories and the cessation of Western military support as conditions for a ceasefire during the second negotiations with Ukraine held in Istanbul, Turkey. It also demanded that the occupied territories, including Crimea, be recognized as Russian territory.
According to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti on the 3rd, the Russian delegation delivered a memorandum titled 'Proposal for Resolving the Ukraine Crisis' to the Ukrainian side.
Russia wanted Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson and to prohibit foreign military support. These regions are places that Russia claimed as its territory after occupying them following its 'special military operation' in February 2022.
In addition, it proposed a second condition that included the prohibition of redeployment of Ukrainian troops, the lifting of the mobilization order, and the announcement of schedules for general elections and presidential elections within 100 days. Russia emphasized that a ceasefire would be established for 30 days from the moment Ukraine withdraws, and all conditions must be fulfilled within 30 days from that point.
Furthermore, Russia demanded that the four occupied territories and Crimea be recognized as Russian territory in international and legal terms as the final peace condition.
It also included conditions that Ukraine abandon its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, maintain neutrality, and prohibit the possession of nuclear weapons, as well as limits on the size of the Ukrainian military.
RIA Novosti reported that there were also conditions related to internal affairs, such as guaranteeing the rights of Russian-speaking populations, lifting sanctions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and prohibiting the promotion of Nazism.
Experts stated that it is realistically impossible for Ukraine and the West to accept Russia's proposal, which is centered on the abandonment of Ukrainian territory and restrictions on sovereignty.
If the gap between the two countries' positions does not narrow, there is a high possibility that Russia will seek a solution through force and prolong the war.