According to a Kremlin spokeswoman, Russia has notified Ukraine that it is ready to suspend military operations “in a minute” provided Kyiv meets a list of criteria. Moscow is demanding that Ukraine suspend military activity, alter its constitution to entrench neutrality, recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and recognize the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as separate states, according to Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
It was the clearest statement yet from Moscow about the conditions it wants Ukraine to meet in order to end its “special military operation,” which is currently on its 12th day. Mr. Peskov stated that Ukraine is aware of the circumstances. “And they were told that it could all be stopped in a matter of seconds.”
Russia has launched an attack on Ukrainian cities
Moscow’s Army has launched an attack on Ukraine from the north, east, and south, hammering cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol. The invasion, which began on February 24, has resulted in Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since World War II, sparked worldwide indignation, and resulted in harsh penalties against Moscow.
However, a Kremlin official stressed that Moscow was making no new territorial claims in Ukraine and that it was “not accurate” that it demanded Kyiv’s handover.
The outline of Russia’s demands came as Russian and Ukrainian delegates prepared to meet on Monday for the third round of peace negotiations. Meanwhile, on Monday, Moscow promised additional “humanitarian corridors” to evacuate Ukrainians caught under its bombing – to Moscow and its partner Belarus, a move that Kyiv quickly slammed as an evil charade.