Three years into the war in Ukraine, Russian President Putin continues to insist on his own terms for an agreement to end the conflict. The American Washington Post shed light on Putin’s non-negotiables.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he fundamentally supported the idea of a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which was also accepted by Ukraine, but raised concerns over the practicality, especially regarding verification along a long front line.

According to the American newspaper The Washington Post, such a tactic might allow Russia to engage in prolonged negotiations without outright rejecting an offer.

UNWILLING TO RELENT ON TERRITORIES Despite three years since the war, Russia still controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory and aims to maintain, even expand, its hold. The Kremlin declared that it would not relinquish any of the territories it has seized. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated last week, “Crimea, Sevastopol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk… these are regions of Russia. They are written in the constitution. This is a given fact.” Russia, notwithstanding international recognition of Crimea as part of Ukraine, annexed Crimea, including Sevastopol in 2014. The other regions Peskov mentioned were annexed illegally in 2022. In June, Putin indicated that Russia would cease hostilities immediately if Ukraine handed over four southeastern regions partially occupied by Russian troops and abandoned plans to join NATO.

CONDITION OF UKRAINE’S MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long emphasized that Ukraine would not surrender its sovereign territories but has recently shifted focus from immediate return of territories to emphasizing security guarantees. Among Russia’s demands is the disengagement of Ukraine’s military, leaving the country vulnerable with a small army unable to defend against future attacks. CRISIS OF NATO MEMBERSHIP Putin justifies attacks in Ukraine as a deterrent to the possibility of expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). For Putin, NATO membership for Ukraine is not just a beginning but a critical security guarantee. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last month that NATO membership was “not a realistic outcome.” While NATO has encouraged the participation of Sweden and Finland, the U.S.’ commitment to the alliance has been increasingly questioned during the Trump era.

“A CONFLICT THAT WILL DESTROY CIVILIZATION” In his 2024 national address, Putin warned of “tragic consequences” if NATO forces were deployed in Ukraine, threatening Western retaliation in case of an attack on Russia. He mentioned that such actions risk a conflict where nuclear weapons would be used, leading to the destruction of civilization. Russia perceives itself as in an existential battle against the “collective West” due to NATO’s support for Kiev against Russia. “EUROPE’S ARMY CANNOT INTERFERE” The Kremlin also rejected the presence of foreign peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, which European countries consider as a potential security guarantee. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would not accept other countries “interfering in the conflict,” warning it could trigger a full-fledged Moscow response. European nations, including the U.K. and France, proposed sending thousands of troops to Ukraine after the conflict’s end. Earlier this week, Russia reiterated its rejection of any NATO country’s peacekeeping forces on Ukrainian soil “under any circumstances.” LESSONS FROM THE ISTANBUL MEETING Russia utilized renewed talks with the U.S. to address issues beyond the conflict in Ukraine, including long-standing complaints about frozen diplomatic compounds from the Obama administration. Talks held in Istanbul on February 27 between Russia and the U.S. revolved around the significantly reduced operations of diplomatic missions due to expulsions and personnel restrictions. Referring to six diplomatic compounds which, between 2016 and 2018, Russia claimed were unlawfully seized by the U.S., including buildings in New York and Maryland frozen by the second Obama administration and the consulates in Seattle and San Francisco shut down by the first Trump administration due to their proximity to sensitive areas like Silicon Valley, a submarine base, and Boeing facilities, Russia sought the return of these premises.

Washington expressed concerns not only regarding access to banking and contracted services but also the need to ensure stable and sustainable personnel levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. The Department of State stated that through constructive discussions, both sides had identified concrete initial steps to stabilize bilateral mission activities in these areas. Shortly after the meeting, Moscow announced that it had received a letter of credence from Washington for the appointment of the new ambassador, Alexander Darchiev. EASING SANCTIONS Russia’s extensive occupation of Ukraine in 2022 led to U.S. sanctions that weakened the Russian economy and hindered its military sector. Trump signaled the willingness to consider easing sanctions as part of a potential peace agreement. Kremlin publicly argues that all sanctions are illegal and should be lifted. However, analysts believe Moscow would welcome the easing of U.S. sanctions, anticipating that economic restrictions would weaken Western unity in their implementation. Putin had previously condemned this strategy as “theft.” Paris suggested using assets as collateral, allowing the seizure of assets if Russia violated a potential ceasefire agreement. Russia pushed for the resumption of direct flights with the U.S. during the talks in Istanbul in February, which would significantly ease the sanctions. The Foreign Ministry did not address this issue in its statement on the talks.