Egypt Daily News – Three Russian sources reported that President Vladimir Putin wants a written commitment from major Western powers not to expand NATO eastward and to lift a significant portion of the sanctions imposed on Moscow as part of his conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. This would officially rule out the possibility of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, and other former Soviet republics joining NATO.
One of the sources said that Putin has become less willing to make concessions regarding the four regions in eastern Ukraine that Russia controls, and he remains firm in his public stance that he wants full control over those areas.
According to the three Russian sources, Putin is demanding a written guarantee from Western leaders that NATO, led by the United States, will not expand eastward. In addition to this, Russia wants Ukraine to adopt a stance of neutrality, some Western sanctions to be lifted, a resolution regarding frozen Russian sovereign assets in the West, and protection for Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Wednesday that Russia has proposed holding the next round of peace talks with Ukraine on June 2 in Istanbul. He stated, “The Russian side, as agreed, quickly prepared a related memorandum outlining our position on all aspects aimed at effectively addressing the root causes of the crisis.”
A senior Russian source familiar with the thinking of top Kremlin officials, who requested anonymity, said, “Putin is ready to make peace, but not at any cost.”
The first source added that if Putin realizes he cannot secure a peace agreement on his own terms, he will try to demonstrate to Ukrainians and Europeans—through military gains—that “peace tomorrow will be more painful.”
This source estimates that if Putin sees a tactical opportunity on the battlefield, he will advance further into Ukraine. The Kremlin believes the country can continue fighting for years, regardless of Western sanctions or economic pressure.
A second source echoed that Putin has become less inclined to give up territory and remains firm in his public stance on controlling all four of the regions currently held by Russia in eastern Ukraine. “Putin has hardened his position” on these territories, the source said.
The Kremlin did not respond to requests for comment. Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly stated that any peace agreement must address the “root causes” of the conflict—a phrase Russia uses to refer to NATO expansion and Western support for Ukraine. Kyiv, on the other hand, has consistently stated that Russia should not have the right to veto Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO. Ukraine continues to demand strong, enforceable security guarantees from the West to deter future Russian aggression.
The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not respond to requests for comment. A NATO spokesperson also did not respond to Reuters’ questions. However, NATO has previously stated that it will not change its “open door” policy simply because Moscow demands it.
Trump ‘Frustrated’
Putin had agreed, after speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump for over two hours last week, to draft a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine that would outline a peace agreement, including a timeline for a ceasefire.
President Trump has shown increasing frustration in recent days with Putin’s actions, despite repeatedly expressing a desire to end the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.
On Tuesday, Trump warned that the Russian president is “playing with fire” by refusing to engage in ceasefire talks with Kyiv at a time when his forces are making gains on the battlefield.
