Neutrality, denuclearization, sanctions relief: Russia issues memorandum on ending Ukraine war

The Russian propaganda outlet RIA Novosti reported the information.

Key provisions of the Russian memorandum on ending the war in Ukraine include:

Ceasefire. The Kremlin proposes two options:

• Full withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions occupied by Russia.

• The second option includes a ban on the redeployment of Ukrainian troops, a cessation of mobilization and any supply of foreign military assistance to Kyiv, the start of demobilization, and the exclusion of the military presence of third countries on the territory of Ukraine.

Neutrality. Moscow insists on enshrining Ukraine's neutral status, its refusal to join any military alliances, as well as a ban on the military activities of other states on Ukrainian territory.

Non-nuclear status of Ukraine and the establishment of a maximum size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Lifting of sanctions. The Russian Federation demands the lifting of all economic sanctions imposed against Russia.

International legal recognition of the inclusion of occupied territories into the Russian Federation. The Kremlin demands international legal recognition of the inclusion of Crimea, the so-called 'LPR', 'DPR', Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions into Russia.

Mutual waiver of claims. The document contains a clause on the mutual waiver of claims in connection with damages caused by hostilities. This means that Russia is not going to be held responsible for the destruction and casualties caused by its unprovoked aggression. 

And of course, the Russian Federation did not forget to include in the list its so-called main demand, due to which, according to the Kremlin leader, the war began - ensuring the rights and freedoms of the Russian-speaking population, lifting restrictions on the activities of the UOC, and banning the glorification of Nazism.

Zelenskyy's reaction

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia reiterated its ultimatum-like demands in its "memorandum." At the same time, he clarified that he has not yet personally seen the Russian memorandum.

"But I received information from partners and partner intelligence services about what might be there. It looks very similar to the ultimatum-like things from the Russian Federation," Zelenskyy said during a press conference in Vilnius after the summit of the Bucharest Nine and Nordic countries, reports RBC-Ukraine.

• On Monday, June 2, the second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul, Turkey.