What Russia and Ukraine Demand Before a Ceasefire
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| Talks of peace are never easy but they begin by sitting at the same table |
“The war between Russia and Ukraine has lasted for years, and peace talks remain complicated. Before either side agrees to a ceasefire, both have clear—and often conflicting—demands. Let’s break down what each side wants.”
Russia’s demands
1. Territorial Recognition
Russia wants Ukraine to acknowledge Russian control over Crimea (taken in 2014) and the four regions it claims—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Moscow sees this recognition as a non-negotiable condition.
2. Neutral Ukraine
Russia insists Ukraine must never join NATO and should remain militarily neutral.
It also wants restrictions on foreign troops or bases in Ukraine.
3. Troop Withdrawal
Ukraine would need to pull its forces back from disputed areas before a ceasefire starts.
Russia demands that Ukraine stop military mobilization and new troop deployments.
4. Halt to Western Military Aid
Moscow wants Ukraine’s allies to stop sending weapons, intelligence, or financial aid that strengthens Ukraine’s defense.
5. Political Guarantees
Protection of Russian-speaking populations inside Ukraine.
Legal guarantees that Ukraine won’t seek reparations for war damages.
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Ukraine’s Demands
1. Full Sovereignty
Ukraine demands Russia withdraw all its troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.
This includes Crimea and occupied regions, which Ukraine considers non-negotiable.
2. Security Guarantees
Ukraine wants binding international security guarantees, possibly from NATO countries or a coalition, to prevent future invasions.
3. Restoration of Borders
Kyiv insists that peace can only come if its 1991 borders (post-Soviet independence borders) are respected.
4. Accountability & Reparations
Ukraine seeks justice for destruction and displacement caused by the war.
It has also raised the demand that Russia contribute to reconstruction and compensation.
5. Prisoner Exchanges & Humanitarian Issues
Before a ceasefire, Ukraine often demands agreements on prisoner swaps, civilian safety, and humanitarian access.
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Why a Ceasefire Is Hard to Achieve
Russia wants recognition of territorial control first.
Ukraine wants a withdrawal of Russian troops first.
Both sides want security guarantees, but in very different forms.
The international community continues to pressure both sides, but finding common ground has been extremely difficult.
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Human Impact
Every delay in reaching a ceasefire means more risk to civilians, infrastructure, and displaced families.
A ceasefire—even temporary—could create space for aid, safety, and renewed diplomacy.
What Russia and Ukraine Demands Before It Will Agree to a Ceasefire in Ukraine
“In the Ukraine-Russia war, ceasefire proposals keep circulating—but many have conditions. What exactly is Russia asking for before it will agree to stop fighting? Let’s break down the demands being reported.”
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Body
1. Territorial Concessions
Russia wants Ukraine to pull back its troops from certain regions claimed by Moscow—specifically Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. These are areas partly or fully occupied.
There is also a demand for international recognition that Russia controls Crimea plus those regions. Ukraine has rejected this demand as non-viable.
2. Ukraine’s Neutral Status and No Foreign Troops
Russia insists that Ukraine must renounce any prospects of joining NATO, and that there should be no foreign troops stationed on Ukrainian soil.
Demilitarisation is also part of the demand: limiting the size of Ukraine’s military, reducing weapons, and halting foreign military aid.
3. Withdrawal/Movement of Ukrainian Forces
Before a ceasefire, Russia demands that Ukrainian forces withdraw from front lines in the disputed regions. That means vacating positions that are currently contested.
Ukraine would also need to pull back from areas near the Russian border, according to what has been reported.
4. Halt of Military Aid, Mobilization, and Reinforcements
Russia wants Ukraine (and its foreign allies) to stop sending new arms, intelligence, or aid that would strengthen its forces.
Mobilization (recruiting or increasing forces) and training new forces are also among the demands.
5. Political and Legal Conditions
Some demands concern changing laws or policies in Ukraine, such as giving official status to Russian language and ensuring rights for Russian-speaking populations.
Also on the list are renouncing war damage compensation claims against Russia. In other words, Russia wants Ukraine to agree not to sue or claim reparations.
6. Ceasefire Timing & Monitoring
Russia says there must be clear guarantees that a ceasefire won’t be used by Ukraine to regroup, rearm, or receive new aid. It wants strict rules about what happens during the ceasefire.
Monitoring and verification are important: who watches, how compliance is ensured are part of Russia’s demands.
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Why These Demands Are Seen as Challenging
Many of the demands are considered “maximalist”—hard for Ukraine (and its allies) to accept without compromising sovereignty or control.
Some demands would require constitutional or political changes in Ukraine.
The order of demands matters: Ukraine is asking that ceasefire come first, then negotiations over territory. Russia’s demands generally ask for territorial and policy concessions before any ceasefire.
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Human Impact & Stakes
These demands are not just political—they affect lives: civilians in contested regions, displaced people, basic services, security.
A ceasefire delayed or made conditional on such terms tends to prolong suffering.
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Closing / Engagement
“What do you think—are any of these demands realistic or fair? Should a ceasefire come first, or are territorial and political terms inevitable? Share your thoughts below—I’d like to know where you stand.”
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