In a contentious move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forth a ceasefire proposal to Ukraine, contingent on a set of stringent demands. These include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—territories annexed by Russia in 2022—and a formal renunciation of Ukraine’s NATO membership bid. Additionally, Putin has called for the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and stipulated that Ukraine must adopt a non-nuclear status and limit its military forces.Ukraine, backed by its Western allies, has dismissed Putin’s conditions as manipulative and reflective of further aggression and occupation. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has stated that Putin cannot dictate Ukraine’s peace terms, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has echoed this sentiment, asserting that the proposal is not a genuine peace offer. The Institute for the Study of War has also analyzed Putin’s proposal and deemed it non-credible, suggesting it would not prevent Russia from resuming its offensive at a later stage.As the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland convenes with representatives from over 90 countries, the exclusion of Russia from the discussions casts doubt on the potential for a breakthrough. Ukraine is set to outline a 10-point peace plan at the summit, while maintaining that peace can only be achieved through the full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity. With the summit underway, the international community watches closely to see if any progress towards peace can be achieved amidst the ongoing conflict.
Key points
- Putin proposes a ceasefire with Ukraine, demanding withdrawal from annexed regions and renunciation of NATO bid.
- Ukraine and Western allies reject Putin’s conditions, calling them a violation of sovereignty and a continuation of aggression.
- The Global Peace Summit in Switzerland seeks to foster dialogue, but Russia’s exclusion raises questions about possible outcomes.
Contradictions👾Putin’s proposal is seen by some as a genuine attempt to save lives, while others criticize it as non-credible and a strategy for further Russian aggression.
