Reuters reporting that Russian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergei Ryabkov, reiterated that Russia’s conditions for ending the war in Ukraine have not changed since Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined a proposal in June last year.
- Ryabkov: “…the sooner the USA and the West understand that all of Putin’s conditions need to be fulfilled the sooner there will be a settlement… As for our dialogue with US on strategic stability, situation does not look promising as Putin said…”
- The comments come as Washington and Moscow maintain ambiguity on an acceptable ceasefire framework, particularly regarding any security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia that could unlock talks.
- US President Donald Trump told the NY Post that he had spoken to Putin on the phone, noting the Russian president wants to see people “stop dying” in Ukraine.
- Putin’s conditions, which include Ukraine withdrawing troops from annexed territories and abandoning long-term NATO aspirations without offering concessions to Kyiv, were rejected by Ukraine and Western allies.
- Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, rejected reporting that he would unveil the Trump administration’s peace proposal at the Feb 14-16 Munich Security Conference.
- Kellogg told the Post Trump is ready to double down on sanctions against Russia, noting that additional pressure could be applied on Russia’s oil production and exports.
- Kellogg added Trump’s approach is more pragmatic than former President Biden’s largely unconditional support for Kyiv, with Trump willing to exert greater leverage over Moscow.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ITV: "If I had an understanding [America/Europe] will not abandon us… If there are security guarantees, we can then speak of an end to the 'hot phase' of the war.”