Russia has told Ukraine it will halt its invasion “in a moment” if Kyiv agrees to give up three key regions, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson said Monday.
Moscow is demanding Ukraine cease military action, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognize the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine was aware of the demands.
“They were told that all this can be stopped in a moment,” Peskov told Reuters in a phone interview.
“We really are finishing the demilitarization of Ukraine. We will finish it. But the main thing is that Ukraine ceases its military action. They should stop their military action and then no one will shoot.”
Russia has told Ukraine it will halt its invasion if Kyiv agrees to give up three key regions. © Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022. EPA/STRINGER
Local residents receive humanitarian aid in the Ukrainian village of Bugas, recently put under control by the Donetsk People’s Republic troops. © Taisiya Vorontsova/TASS via ZUMA Press
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia wasn’t trying to make any further territorial claims on Ukraine with its invasion. Sputnik/Sergey Guneev/Kremlin via REUTERS
A wounded woman is seen after an airstrike damaged an apartment complex in city of Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Russian and Ukrainian delegations were preparing to meet on Monday for a third round of peace talks. REUTERS/StringerPeskov did not reveal whether Russian troops would withdraw completely from Ukraine if the conditions were met – only that fighting would stop.
The Ukrainian side did not immediately react to Russia’s ultimatums.
The demands come 12 days after Putin ordered his troops to attack Ukraine from the north, east and south.
The deadly invasion, which provoked outrage across the world and led to heavy sanctions on Moscow, has already heavily pounded cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv and Mariupol.
Infantry fighting vehicles in the village of Bugas, which came under the control of the Donetsk People’s Republic. © Sergei Bobylev/TASS via ZUMA Press
Residents of Chuhuiv near an apartment that has been severely damaged by a Russian bombardment. Justin Yau/Sipa USA
The Ukrainian side did not immediately react to Russia’s ultimatums. © Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS via ZUMA Press
Moscow is demanding Ukraine acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognize the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states.
Damage to fuel storage areas and other airport infrastructure at the Chuhuiv airfield in the eastern Ukrainian city of Chuhuiv, February 24, 2022. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERSPeskov claimed Russia wasn’t trying to make any further territorial claims on Ukraine with its invasion — and insisted it was “not true” that Moscow was demanding Kyiv be handed over.
Speaking about the issue of neutrality, Peskov said: “They should make amendments to the constitution according to which Ukraine would reject any aims to enter any bloc.”
He added: “We have also spoken about how they should recognize that Crimea is Russian territory and that they need to recognize that Donetsk and Lugansk are independent states. And that’s it. It will stop in a moment.”
A view from an apartment block damaged in a shelling attack. © Taisiya Vorontsova/TASS via ZUMA Press
Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine was aware of Russia’s demands. Mikhail JaparidzeTASS via Getty Images
The demands come 12 days after Putin ordered his troops to attack Ukraine. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
An evacuated Mariupol civilian with dogs at an emergency service station in the village of Bezymennoye. © Alexander Ryumin/TASS via ZUMA Press
Moscow is demanding Ukraine cease military action. REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoIt comes as Russian and Ukrainian delegations were preparing to meet on Monday for a third round of peace talks.
The demands also came as Russian forces suffered a defeat after Ukrainian troops retook control of the northeastern town of Chuhuiv, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych revealed Monday.
Chuhuiv was among the first places to report shelling in Russia’s invasion.
With Post wires
