Breaking: Kremlin’s Peace Demands Announced – Four Regions, Neutrality, but No Zelensky Resignation

According to the Kremlin, an end to the war in Ukraine depends on several specific conditions, as presented by Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in an interview with the French outlet Le Point. Among the central demands is that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from four regions that Moscow considers part of the Russian Federation.

Four Regions Must Be Relinquished

Peskov stated that the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson is a prerequisite for peace. He emphasized that these areas were incorporated into Russia following referendums and are now “firmly embedded in the Russian Constitution.”

When Le Point asked whether a Ukrainian withdrawal would bring an end to the conflict, Peskov replied:
“If Ukraine pulls its troops out of these four regions, then yes.”

He added that some territories are still controlled by Kyiv and that Russia considers them “occupied” parts of its territory.

The Demand for Neutrality

Another key demand from the Kremlin is that Ukraine must remain a neutral state — without joining NATO. According to Peskov, this is closely tied to Russia’s own security. He argued that Ukrainian NATO membership would pose a direct threat to Russia:
“A neutral Ukraine is necessary. And so is the recognition of the reality regarding the territories.”

He further noted that security for one country should not come at the expense of another — a clear criticism of the West and its military support for Kyiv.

Zelensky’s Resignation Not a Requirement

Despite speculation that Russia wants Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed from power, Peskov denied that this is among Russia’s demands. According to him, there is no formal requirement for Zelensky’s resignation as part of a potential peace agreement. However, the Kremlin raises concerns about the legal validity of any agreement signed by the Ukrainian leader:

“That is not one of our demands,” Peskov said, though he remarked that any potential deal could later be challenged within Ukraine, particularly in light of the country’s martial law and constitutional provisions.

International Relations and Gas Negotiations

Beyond its demands toward Ukraine, the Kremlin also expressed a desire to improve relations with the West — especially the United States. Peskov stressed that peace would not be possible without the restoration of normal diplomatic ties between Moscow and Washington.

At the same time, Russia signaled a degree of pragmatism regarding energy negotiations: If the West is willing to purchase Russian gas on market terms, energy giant Gazprom is ready to resume dialogue — including discussions around the gas pipelines that once connected Russia to Europe.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.