Russia Says It Can Halt Warfare “In a Moment” If Kyiv Checks Off a Checklist
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the most explicit offer yet about what Moscow wants from Kyiv in order to drop the “special military operation.” The condition list is a bit blunt, but the ultimatum feels almost generous.
Here’s the deal
- Stop fighting – Ukraine must immediately cease all military action.
- Make neutrality constitutional – Amend the constitution so that Ukraine can’t ever sign up for any bloc that might stir up conflict.
- Accept Crimea – Officially acknowledge the peninsula as part of Russia.
- Recognize Donetsk & Lugansk – Treat the separatist republics as independent states.
Peskov told Reuters that Kyiv is “aware of these conditions” and that, if they’re met, the fighting will stop “in a moment.” It’s a pretty straight‑up “show‑up, stop‑shooting” statement with no hidden footnotes.
No Immediate Reply from Ukraine
The Ukrainian side has yet to comment, so we’re left wondering how the ambassadorial aquarium will respond to such a high‑stakes предложение. It’s unclear whether they’re rattled, amused, or just busy crunching numbers.
Every Day In The War
Since Russia fired off its assault on Feb. 24, the front lines have swelled from the north to the south, with cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and the port of Mariupol taking a domino‑falling blow. The invasion has sparked a refugee crisis that dwarfs the post‑World War II scramble and has sent sanctions flying at Moscow faster than a missile in the air.
Russia Isn’t After More Land
Peskov was quick to clarify that this isn’t a pursuit of additional territory. He said it’s all about “finishing the demilitarization of Ukraine,” a phrase that might sound oddly hopeful in the chaos of a war zone.
He emphasized, “We really are finishing the demilitarization of Ukraine. We will finish it. But the main thing is that Ukraine ceases its military action. They should stop their military action and then no one will shoot.”
The Kiss‑of‑Hard‑War Conditions
When talking about neutrality, he rolled out the prototype: “They should make amendments to the constitution according to which Ukraine would reject any aims to enter any bloc.” He then knocked it out with a final, slick demand: “We have also spoken about how they should recognise that Crimea is Russian territory and that they need to recognise that Donetsk and Lugansk are independent states. And that’s it. It will stop in a moment.”
Whether Kyiv is ready to put its peninsula and separatist regions in the “Acknowledged” long‑horned box to end the guns is the question. Meanwhile the camera is still rolling, and the world watches on – hopeful that somebody will finally say, “Alright, you can go home.”
New talks
Russia’s Grand Plan: Demands, Diplomacy, and a Dash of Drama
As the world readies for what’s now the third round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Moscow is playing checkers with its chessboard. Below is a recap of the latest missive from the Kremlin—crafted, of course, in the classic style of a Russian press secretary who keeps the language “straight and clear” while slipping in a hint of grandiose flair.
Why the Talks Matter
After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk independent—an act the West slammed as illegal—Russia’s top brass set out to secure a roadmap for a “neutral” Ukraine that won’t threaten its own citizens.
Key Takeaway: “Neutral Ukraine” is the New Mission Statement
- Donetsk & Lugansk aren’t “seized” – as the Kremlin says, they genuinely resist being part of Ukraine.
- But that’s not the end of the story: Russia doesn’t want a “destroyed” Ukraine either.
- Ukraine can thrive as an independent, neutral state—no roaming armies, no overt interference.
What Moscow Has Been Delivering
Peskov—yes, the mouthpiece—told reporters that every demand has already gone out after the first two weeks of talks. “We’ve laid it all out. Now we just hope the Ukrainians will react the right way.”
- From “demilitarisation” (yes, a fancy term meaning kick the army out) to a full shield for Russia’s 3‑million‑strong, Russian‑speaking population.
- A strategy to avoid the absurd scenario of “100,000 Ukrainian soldiers” just hanging around the border like the Russian equivalent of mosquitoes.
- Hoping not to sit around while the West keeps “filling pockets with US and British weapons.”
Why Russia Feels Cornered
Remember 2014? Russia had stretched 150,000 troops to its Ukrainian border, let’s be honest. The world feared a big‑scale invasion, but it came down to annexing Crimea. Now, as Peskov puts it:
“The situation’s gotten worse. The weapons, the NATO‑style army training, and the idea that those 3 million people in Donbass could get hit— that’s what pushed the table forward.”
NATO: The Unstated Villain
While you might think NATO is merely a friendly neighbor, Moscow’s view is that the alliance hasn’t just reconciled with Ukraine— it’s planning to drop missiles into Ukraine like it did in Poland and Romania. “It’s only a matter of time” said Peskov. “We had to act before we could put up with it.”
Bottom Line (Or the Big Story)
In plain (yet heavily loaded) English:
- Moscow demands a neutral, demilitarised Ukraine.
- The Kremlin is safeguarding its Russian‑speaking citizens from what it sees as Western aggression.
- Russia wants recognition of the breakaway regions—but with a twist: it wants to keep the region safe and free from NATO’s reach.
- The talks are, frankly, a high‑stakes negotiation where a misstep could set off a new chapter in the long‑running drama.
As we watch the clock tick toward the next meeting, only one thing’s clear—there’s no telling if the outcome will be a diplomatic balm or a fresh flash in the geopolitical tinderbox.
