Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw troops from territories Russia claims to have annexed and also relinquish its plans to join NATO in exchange for an immediate ceasefire. Putin’s statements come in the middle of the G7 summit as Ukrainian President Zelensky gathers international support and also as a precursor to the summit in Switzerland where leaders from 90 countries are set to deliberate upon approaches that would lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine. Russia will not be a part of the deliberations.
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Statement by Putin
“ As soon as Kyiv says it is ready to make this decision, begins the actual pull out of forces from those regions and formally declares the abandonment of its plans to join NATO, we will instantly, at that very second, order a ceasefire and begin negotiations,” said President Putin. The Russian President also urged all western countries to drop economic sanctions against Russia as part of the preconditions to the ceasefire.
Sanctions against the Russian banks, the largest Russian stock exchange, microchips, and other technologies were expanded earlier this week by the US. Moreover, a decision to use Russian sovereign assets frozen in the west as a collateral for a loan package to Ukraine to help upkeep its defense was also taken by the G7 countries at its summit. Putin has labeled this decision a “theft” of its resources, alleging that it has no legal basis.
Reactions By Other Leaders
Mykhailo Podolyak who is the Ukrainian Presidential advisor labeled the proposal a “complete sham” and “offensive to common sense.” President Zelensky in an address to Italy’s Sky24 TG24 television said “These messages are ultimatum messages. It’s the same thing Hitler did, when he said “give me a part of Czechoslovakia and it’ll end here.” Putin’s statements were also dismissed by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stating “ Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about peace.” Jens Stolttenbery, NATO Secretary-General, said Mr Putin’s proposal was “not made in good faith.”
The Peace Summit
Putin’s statements are being seen as an attempt to derail the Peace Summit near Lake Lucerne where Ukrainian President Zelensky hopes to display international support. The Swiss Government has stated that the summit aims “ to provide a forum where world leaders discuss paths towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on international law and the UN Charter.” Delegates attending the summit include the US Vice President, The President of the European Commission, German Chancellor, French President and many others. Russia was not invited to the summit and China has refused to attend the summit in the absence of Russia.
The Western Countries however are highly unlikely to pay any heed to Putin’s threats.
