Russia Still Demands Ukraine To Resign From The Region Moskw Claims

JAKARTA - Russia insists its stance on ending the war in Ukraine has not changed since President Vladimir Putin set its terms last year, namely the full withdrawal of Kyiv troops from key Ukrainian territories and leaving its NATO ambitions.

Putin and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on Friday, August 15 in Alaska, the first US-Russia summit since 2021, to discuss efforts to end the war.

Trump said both sides should exchange parts of the territory they currently control so that this happens.

Russia currently controls 19% of Ukraine, including the entire Crimea, the entire Luhansk, more than 70% of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions, as well as a small part of Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropxisk.

After several media reported Washington understood Putin was ready to compromise over his territorial demands, Russia's Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexei Fadeev, confirmed Russia's position had not changed.

"Russia's position remains unchanged, and it was voiced in this hall more than a year ago, on June 14, 2024," Fadeev said, referring to Putin's speech at the Foreign Ministry.

At the time, in its most complete public statement so far on a possible form of settlement, the Kremlin leadership filed a lawsuit, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions they still control.

Putin also said Kyiv should officially inform Moscow they are canceling plans to join the US-led NATO military alliance.

In addition, Putin said the rights and freedoms of Russian speakers in Ukraine must be guaranteed, and the "realty" of Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson are now part of Russia.

Putin said his terms must also be reflected in international agreements. In his speech in 2024, Ukraine rejected his demands and considered him an absurd ultimatum.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will never recognize Russia's occupation of its territory and most countries have recognized Ukrainian territory within its limits since 1991.

Based on the current front line, Putin's demands will require Ukraine to hand over an additional 21,000 square km (8,100 square miles) to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia should agree to a ceasefire before territorial issues are discussed. He will reject any Russian proposals for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the eastern Donbas region and surrender its defense lines.