Politics Russia publishes plan for a "peace solution"
For the first time, Russia has published its memorandum with demands to Ukraine for a possible future peace treaty. Point one of the memorandum demands that Ukraine recognize that the Crimean peninsula, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia are part of the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian leadership had always categorically rejected such recognition of the annexation, which violated international law. With the memorandum, Moscow is sticking to its maximum demands and is practically asking Kiev to capitulate.
02.06.2025, 20:05
SDA
In point two of twelve, Russia demands a commitment from Ukraine to neutrality and non-alignment - meaning a binding renunciation of NATO membership, for example. The other points, some of which were previously known, are about confirming Ukraine's nuclear-free status and limiting the number of Ukrainian soldiers. Moscow is also calling for the dissolution of nationalist military groups and the National Guard.
Russia published the text of the memorandum following direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, where the document was handed over to representatives of Kiev. They announced that they would examine the catalog. Ukraine had already vehemently rejected some of Russia's known demands.
Moscow demands that Russian be recognized as the official language
For a lasting settlement of the conflict, Moscow is demanding 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, Kiev should also commit to lifting all sanctions and resuming diplomatic relations. The paper even mentions the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine to Europe.
According to the declaration of intent, a peace treaty should be confirmed by a legally binding UN resolution once it has been signed.
The talks in Istanbul were the second direct negotiations after the first round in May. The last time such direct negotiations on an end to the war took place was in 2022. They failed back then.
