In a dramatic development on the diplomatic front, the Russian government has presented what it calls a “peace memorandum” to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
The sweeping list of demands, however, has sparked widespread condemnation and is being described by critics as a de facto blueprint for Ukraine’s surrender and subjugation.
Unveiled through official channels in Moscow today, the memorandum outlines a range of strict conditions that Ukraine must meet for Russia to consider a ceasefire.
At the core of the demands is a call for Ukraine to withdraw all military forces from the remaining territories it still controls in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
This move would effectively abandon more than 1.3 million Ukrainian citizens and cement Russia’s claim over large swaths of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Russia insists that Ukraine formally recognize these territorial changes under international law—a demand Kyiv has long rejected as tantamount to legitimizing annexation.
Another key provision includes a permanent ban on Ukraine joining any military alliances, such as NATO.
The presence of foreign troops or military infrastructure on Ukrainian soil would be explicitly prohibited under the proposed terms.
The memorandum also states that Ukraine must renounce any ambition to develop or host nuclear weapons, and mandates sweeping reforms of its armed forces.
This includes imposing limits on troop numbers and the complete disbanding of units that Russia labels as “far-right.”
Domestically, Ukraine would be compelled to enshrine protections for Russian speakers, make Russian an official state language, and dismantle nationalist parties and groups accused of glorifying Nazism.
These stipulations have drawn sharp criticism for echoing Kremlin propaganda themes often used to justify the invasion.
Additionally, Russia demands that all Western-imposed sanctions be lifted permanently and that both nations waive any rights to demand reparations for the war.
Ukraine would also be forced to lift restrictions on the Russian Orthodox Church, which Kyiv has accused of spreading pro-Kremlin messaging.
Finally, the memorandum calls for the full restoration of economic and diplomatic ties with Russia—including the resumption of gas transit and transportation links.
As for a timeline, Russia proposes two potential paths: either Ukraine withdraws from the contested regions within 30 days or holds national elections first, followed by an expedited withdrawal. The Kremlin says these steps are prerequisites for initiating any serious ceasefire negotiations.
Analysts and Western officials have quickly dismissed the document as disingenuous. “This is not a peace offer; it’s an ultimatum designed to humiliate and dismantle Ukrainian sovereignty,” said one NATO diplomat.
Ukrainian officials have echoed this sentiment, warning that Russia’s demands would reduce their nation to a weakened client state, dependent on Moscow’s goodwill.
Many observers believe the Kremlin is fully aware that Ukraine will never agree to such terms, suggesting the proposal is more about shaping narratives than ending the conflict.
