Russia Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine in New Peace Talks

Tuesday 03 June 2025 - 11:04

By: Zahouani Ilham

Russia Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine in New Peace Talks

ISTANBUL— During peace talks held in Istanbul, Russia presented strict conditions for ending its war against Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv cede extensive territory and accept limits on the size of its armed forces, according to a memorandum reported by Russian outlets.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, including from U.S. President Donald Trump who urged an end to the “bloodbath,” Russia showed no willingness to compromise on its long-standing war aims. Ukraine, in turn, has firmly rejected these demands, viewing them as equivalent to capitulation.

The delegations met for just an hour, marking only the second round of negotiations since March 2022. The meeting did yield an agreement to exchange prisoners of war, prioritizing the youngest and most seriously injured, as well as the return of 12,000 soldiers’ remains.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan hailed the meeting as a positive step and expressed hope for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Turkey, with Trump potentially participating. However, discussions failed to produce progress on a ceasefire, something Ukraine, its allies, and the U.S. have all pushed for. Moscow insists it wants a lasting resolution, not a mere pause in fighting. Kyiv accuses Putin of lacking genuine interest in peace. Trump warned that the U.S. could end its mediation role unless both sides demonstrate meaningful progress.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, leading Kyiv's delegation, said Ukraine would examine the Russian proposal but provided no immediate reaction. He added that Ukraine had suggested further negotiations before June’s end, though emphasized that only a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy could resolve key disagreements.

President Zelenskyy also presented a list of 400 children allegedly abducted and taken to Russia. The Russian side reportedly agreed to consider returning just 10 of them, claiming the children were moved for their safety.

Russia's Conditions

According to a document published by Interfax, Russia’s demands include international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and four other Ukrainian regions it currently controls partially or fully. Ukraine would be required to pull out its troops from these areas.

Moscow also reiterated demands for Ukraine to remain neutral, abandoning any intention to join NATO. It called for Russian to be recognized as an official language and for Ukraine to pass laws protecting Russian speakers and outlawing what Russia calls “glorification of Nazism” a claim Kyiv rejects as baseless.

In addition to long-term settlement conditions, Russia proposed two ceasefire options both deemed unacceptable by Ukraine. The first requires full Ukrainian military withdrawal from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The second demands a freeze on Ukrainian troop movements and an end to Western military support, including intelligence and satellite communications. It also calls for Ukraine to end martial law and hold national elections within 100 days.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, added that Russia had proposed a short ceasefire of 2–3 days in specific areas to recover fallen soldiers' bodies.

Ukraine, in a counterproposal seen by Reuters, rejects any military limitations or recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian land. It also demands reparations from Russia.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes Deep in Russia

Meanwhile, the war has escalated. Russia launched its largest drone attack of the conflict in May, while Ukraine launched a bold offensive targeting Russian strategic bombers thousands of miles from the front. In a mission dubbed “Spider’s Web,” Ukraine deployed 117 drones to hit airbases in Siberia and Russia’s far north.

Satellite images suggested significant damage, though both sides offered conflicting reports. Western analysts described the attack as one of the most daring Ukrainian operations yet, targeting aircraft that form part of Russia’s nuclear deterrent.

Russia’s strategic bombers are a key part of its nuclear triad, which includes land- and submarine-based systems. With repeated nuclear threats from Putin, the U.S. and NATO allies remain concerned about the risk of escalation into a broader war.

U.S. officials said they were not briefed on the Ukrainian operation in advance. British officials also confirmed they were not informed prior to the attack. Zelenskyy later said the drones were hidden in wooden sheds as part of the operation.