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| Representatives of the US-Ukraine negotiating group in Saudi Arabia |
Putin's truce terms: analysis and consequences
On June 14, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the conditions for the start of peace talks with Ukraine. The main points included Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territories of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. Putin also demanded Ukraine's recognition of the status of Crimea and the aforementioned regions as subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine. These conditions provoked sharp criticism from Ukraine, which called them an ultimatum and rejected them.
US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia: a new vector in the peace process
On March 11, 2025, negotiations took place between representatives of the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia, at which an agreement was reached on a 30-day truce. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev is ready to accept the truce proposal, but it will be implemented only after Moscow's consent.
These talks took place against the backdrop of strained relations between Kiev and Washington after a scandalous meeting in the Oval Office, when US President Donald Trump demanded a more flexible position from Ukraine in peace negotiations. As a result, the talks in Saudi Arabia were an important step in restoring trust between the two countries.
Comparing Putin's terms and the outcome of the Saudi talks
The main difference between Putin's terms and the results of the negotiations in Saudi Arabia lies in the approach to territorial issues and the status of Ukraine. Putin insists on recognizing the annexation of Crimea and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories, which Ukraine considers unacceptable. At the same time, the negotiations in Saudi Arabia suggest a more flexible approach, including the possibility of a temporary truce and further negotiations.
In addition, the United States insists that Russia also show flexibility and agree to a truce that will include all front lines, not just individual sections. However, Moscow has not yet given a clear answer to this proposal.
Influence on the international arena
The talks in Saudi Arabia demonstrated the willingness of the United States and Ukraine to engage in dialogue and find a compromise, while Putin's conditions continue to raise doubts about their realism and possible acceptance. If successful, the truce could be the first step towards a broader peace agreement that takes into account the interests of all parties. However, experience shows that any proposal for a truce can be used by Moscow and Kiev to regroup forces and continue hostilities.
The situation with the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine remains difficult and ambiguous. On the one hand, the talks in Saudi Arabia demonstrated the willingness of Ukraine and the United States to engage in dialogue and find a compromise. On the other hand, Putin's conditions continue to raise doubts about their realism and possible acceptance. In any case, Moscow's position, which remains adamant, will play a key role in achieving peace.
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