Russias Demands in Peace Talks: Key Points from the Istanbul Memorandum to Ukraine

Russian negotiators provided their Ukrainian counterparts with a memorandum that outlines two possible frameworks for concluding Moscow’s large-scale invasion during discussions in Istanbul on Monday.

The proposals, which were shared by state news outlets, represent Moscow’s continued attempt to assert its maximalist demands for an end to the over three-year conflict.

The first framework stipulates that Kyiv must completely withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, which are partially occupied by Russia, which claims these areas as its own. A ceasefire lasting 30 days would commence once the withdrawal of troops begins, according to the memorandum. Additionally, Ukraine would need to relocate its military forces to an agreed distance from the Russian border.

The second option, referred to as the «package proposal,» does not explicitly demand the immediate surrender of these four partially occupied regions but outlines an extensive list of conditions.

These conditions include an immediate halt to Ukrainian mobilization efforts and the initiation of demobilization; a cessation of all foreign military assistance, intelligence-sharing, and satellite support to Kyiv; and assurances that no sabotage activities will occur within Russian territory.

This proposal also calls for a mutual amnesty to free detained civilians from both sides, and for Ukraine to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections within 100 days of lifting martial law.

Additionally, it requires the withdrawal of foreign military personnel from Ukraine and imposes restrictions on the movement of Ukrainian troops, except for their retreat from border areas.

According to a source from Interfax close to the discussions, the two delegations convened after a 2.5-hour in-person meeting between Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky. The source characterized this meeting as a significant step in establishing the framework for broader negotiations.

Moscow’s memorandum includes several long-standing demands from the Kremlin, many of which are likely to be unacceptable to Kyiv and its Western partners. These demands include:

— International recognition of Russian sovereignty over the occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea.
— A formal commitment from Ukraine not to join any military alliances or coalitions.
— Official status for the Russian language within Ukraine.
— Lifting all current sanctions between the two nations and a promise to refrain from imposing new ones.
— Restoration of Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine, along with the resumption of full economic, diplomatic, and transportation relations.
— Mutual renunciation of claims for damages related to the war.
— Restrictions on the size and structure of Ukraine’s military.
— A prohibition on the «glorification or promotion of Nazism and neo-Nazism» and the dissolution of nationalist parties.
— Confirmation of Ukraine’s non-nuclear status.
— Removal of legal constraints on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church connected with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Ukrainian officials have not yet made any public statements regarding the memorandum.