Russia has presented a set of demands to the United States for a potential deal to end its war in Ukraine and reset relations with Washington, sources familiar with the matter have said.
The exact details of Moscow’s list remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether Russia is open to engaging in peace negotiations with Kyiv before these demands are met. Discussions between Russian and American officials have reportedly taken place both in-person and virtually over the past three weeks.
According to sources, the Kremlin’s conditions are broad and largely resemble the terms it has previously set forth to Ukraine, the U.S., and NATO. These include a firm commitment that Ukraine will never join NATO, a prohibition on the deployment of foreign troops in the country, and international recognition of Crimea and four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.
Moscow has also repeatedly insisted that the U.S. and NATO address what it calls the "root causes" of the conflict, particularly NATO’s eastward expansion—an issue that has long been a point of contention between Russia and the West.
Ceasefire talks in uncertainty
The latest diplomatic manoeuvres come as U.S. President Donald Trump awaits a response from Russian President Vladimir Putin on whether he will agree to a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he would accept as an initial step towards peace negotiations.
However, there remains no clarity on Putin’s stance, and the details of a possible ceasefire agreement are still being finalised. Some U.S. officials and experts have expressed concerns that Putin could use the truce to strengthen his position and further divide the U.S., Ukraine, and European allies.
Neither the Russian embassy in Washington nor the White House has commented on the developments. In Kyiv, Zelenskiy described recent discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia as “constructive” and noted that a temporary ceasefire could provide a framework for drafting a broader peace settlement.
Historical parallels and NATO tensions
Many of the demands raised by Moscow have been part of its diplomatic stance for the past two decades, often surfacing in negotiations with the U.S. and Europe. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Moscow held talks with the Biden administration in late 2021 and early 2022, during which similar conditions were discussed.
During those discussions, Russia called for restrictions on NATO’s activities in Eastern Europe, including limits on U.S. and NATO military exercises in the region and a ban on deploying intermediate-range missiles in Europe. While Washington rejected several of these terms, it attempted to engage in dialogue in an effort to avert the invasion.
In recent weeks, both Russian and U.S. officials have suggested that a draft agreement discussed in Istanbul in 2022 could serve as a starting point for new peace talks. That agreement, which ultimately did not materialise, called for Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions, adopt a permanently nuclear-free status, and accept Russian influence over future security decisions.
The Trump administration has not yet disclosed its approach to the current negotiations with Moscow, with officials reportedly divided on how to proceed. While some see the Istanbul framework as a viable foundation, others believe an entirely new agreement must be formulated.
Western concerns over Russian intentions
Analysts warn that Russia’s demands go beyond Ukraine and could serve as a basis for broader agreements aimed at curbing Western influence in Eastern Europe.
“There’s no indication that Moscow is willing to make any concessions,” said Angela Stent, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former U.S. intelligence analyst on Russia and Eurasia. “The demands haven’t changed, and this does not appear to be a genuine pursuit of peace.”
Former U.S. officials also highlight Russia’s historical stance on limiting Western military activities.
“These are the same Russian demands that have existed since 1945,” said Kori Schake, a former Pentagon official and director of foreign and defence policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. “With the Trump administration’s recent approach, Europeans aren’t just worried about being abandoned—they fear the U.S. may be siding with the enemy.”
