Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Friday to “immediately” order a cease-fire in Ukraine and start negotiations if Kyiv began withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounced plans to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected what he called an ultimatum by Putin to surrender more territory... [the offer] didn’t include any new demands. The Kremlin has said before that Kyiv should recognize its territorial gains and drop its bid to join NATO.
Russia occupies most, but not all, of the territory in question. They are winning the war, and this is the type of offer you make when you're winning. As the article notes, this is not some new request; this has been on the table for a while.
Ukraine is losing, but slowly. They could take this deal now, saving their own people's lives, or they could continue sending men into the meat grinder and wind up with this or worse in maybe another year.
Besides seeking to join NATO, Ukraine wants Russian forces out of its territory, including the Crimean Peninsula that was illegally annexed in 2014; the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity; and that Russia be held accountable for war crimes and for Moscow to pay reparations to Kyiv.
Compare Russia's terms to this -- a totally delusional offer for the losing side to suggest.
Putin offers truce if Ukraine exits Russian-claimed areas and drops NATO bid. Kyiv rejects it
Russia occupies most, but not all, of the territory in question. They are winning the war, and this is the type of offer you make when you're winning. As the article notes, this is not some new request; this has been on the table for a while.
Ukraine is losing, but slowly. They could take this deal now, saving their own people's lives, or they could continue sending men into the meat grinder and wind up with this or worse in maybe another year.
Compare Russia's terms to this -- a totally delusional offer for the losing side to suggest.