Russia's proposed 'peace plan' starts with an ultimatum — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
One of the key points of Russia's so-called "peace plan" requires international recognition of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Such an approach is essentially an ultimatum, reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Why is this an ultimatum? Because the first point is the international-legal recognition of Crimea, the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions as part of Russia, and the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other Ukrainian military formations from those territories," Zelenskyy explained.
He emphasized that the very first point of Russia's "peace plan" is maximally ultimative.
"It directly contradicts the UN Charter, common sense, and the Constitution of Ukraine. It is at once a demand for the greatest reward for (the Russian President Vladimir – ed.) Putin for this war," he added.
Russia's memorandum
On Monday, June 2, Ukraine and Russia held a second round of negotiations in Istanbul.
Sources told RBC-Ukraine that Russia, via Türkiye, handed over its memorandum to Ukraine, outlining Moscow's position on concluding peace with Ukraine and a possible ceasefire.
As is already known, for a ceasefire to occur, Russia demands either the beginning of the withdrawal of Ukrainian defenders from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions or the suspension of mobilization and Western aid deliveries.
US officials are disappointed by the conditions Russia has set for at least a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Moreover, according to ABC News, anonymous sources emphasized that these demands are unachievable.
