During a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 14, Putin stated that he would agree to a ceasefire and start peace talks if Ukraine withdraws its troops from four regions occupied by Russian forces and abandons plans to join NATO.
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Putin mentioned that his proposal aims for a “final resolution” of the conflict and that the Kremlin is ready to negotiate without delay. This announcement was made just before a two-day peace conference in Switzerland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any deal that involves ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia. Currently, Russian forces control parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, which they declared annexed in September 2022, along with areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. They are also advancing in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
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In his speech, Putin accused Western leaders of pushing him towards a nuclear World War Three. He warned that Western calls for a strategic defeat of Russia, which has the largest nuclear arsenal, are extremely reckless and could lead to a tragic outcome.
Putin’s comments came as G7 leaders met in Italy and as Switzerland prepared for a peace conference in Lucerne. He emphasized that he does not want to “freeze” the conflict but seeks a final resolution to end hostilities.
Putin’s broader peace demands include Ukraine remaining non-nuclear, limiting its military capabilities, and protecting the rights of the Russian-speaking population. He urged turning this tragic page of history and restoring unity between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe.
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