Russia Reiterates Hardline Demands for Ukraine War End

Russia has renewed its stringent conditions for ending the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, explicitly ruling out any ceasefire or comprehensive peace negotiations unless Ukrainian forces withdraw from the eastern Donbas region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky must order a cessation of hostilities and a retreat from territories claimed by Russia, including Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as other occupied areas. This declaration follows recent comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting the four-year war is nearing its conclusion, though he provided no specific details. Ukraine has firmly rejected these demands, characterizing them as equivalent to surrender. The conflict, which escalated with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties and remains Europe's deadliest war since World War II. Meanwhile, US-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the fighting have stalled since February, as Washington shifted its strategic focus toward tensions with Iran. Russia currently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of southern regions, following referendums widely deemed illegitimate by the international community.