Navigating Peace: Key Points in the Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

Moscow and Kyiv shared their respective plans for a possible peace agreement during a second round of direct negotiations held in Istanbul on Monday.

The primary issues of contention continue to revolve around ceasefire conditions, as both parties remain engaged in military actions, along with territorial disputes.

The Moscow Times examines the current positions of Russia and Ukraine on crucial topics in the talks:

**Ceasefire**

Ukraine has consistently stressed the necessity of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire across air, sea, and land to facilitate peace negotiations.

In its peace proposal released on Monday, Ukraine reiterated its demand for a “full and unconditional ceasefire” lasting at least 30 days as a fundamental requirement for peace talks.

President Vladimir Putin has largely disregarded the requests from Ukraine and the West for a 30-day ceasefire. Nonetheless, he ordered a three-day ceasefire to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany last month.

In the peace framework presented on Monday, Russia indicated that any ceasefire would hinge on Ukraine’s complete withdrawal from the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

«A ceasefire lasting 30 days will be initiated from the moment the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces commences,» stated the Russian memorandum distributed by state news agencies.

Moscow’s second condition involves a cessation of mobilization and the initiation of demobilization, halting foreign military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, along with the removal of all foreign military personnel from Ukrainian land.

Both sides proposed the establishment of a monitoring mission to oversee the ceasefire. However, while Russia’s proposal included a “bilateral” monitoring center, Ukraine’s suggestion entailed a mission led by the U.S. with support from other nations.

**Territorial Issues**

In its memorandum, Russia demands the “international legal recognition” of Crimea and the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as part of Russia, insisting on the total withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces and other paramilitary groups from those areas.

Ukraine has maintained that it will never accept its annexed territories as Russian, reiterating that territorial discussions can only occur “after a complete and unconditional ceasefire.”

**Prisoner Exchange**

Ukraine has called for the “unconditional return” of all forcibly displaced and illegally deported Ukrainian children, the exchange of all prisoners, and the “release of all civilian hostages” by Russia.

In its memo, Russia consented to a mutual amnesty for “political prisoners” and the release of detained civilians.

**Military and NATO Membership**

Moscow’s memorandum asserts that Ukraine must be prohibited from joining any military alliances and sets stringent limits on Ukrainian military activities during a truce, including bans on mobilization, a halt to the inflow of Western weapons, and restrictions on troop movements except for withdrawals from Russian borders.

The Russian peace plan also contains a provision for mutual renunciation of claims for war-related damages.

Ukraine’s plan emphasizes that Kyiv should not be compelled to remain neutral, stating that Ukraine “has the right to be part of the Euro-Atlantic community and pursue EU membership. Ukraine’s accession to NATO relies on consensus within the Alliance.”

“No limitations should be imposed on the number, deployment, or other specifics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, nor on the stationing of allied foreign troops within Ukraine,” the document states.

**Political and Economic Matters**

Ukraine indicated that it might lift certain sanctions on Russia, “but in a gradual manner and only incrementally, with a mechanism for reinstating sanctions if needed.”

“Frozen Russian sovereign assets will either be utilized for reconstruction or will remain frozen until reparations are settled,” the Ukrainian roadmap outlined.

Russia proposed a step-by-step restoration of diplomatic and economic relations, including gas transit and transportation links with Ukraine, as well as the repeal of all existing economic sanctions and a commitment to not implement new ones.

Despite President Zelensky signing a decree that effectively prohibits negotiations with Putin, Ukraine’s peace plan also suggested a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to discuss critical components of a final peace agreement.

Moscow’s memorandum calls for presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine to take place no later than 100 days after martial law is lifted.