Russia Demands US Concessions to End Ukraine War

According to the reports on Thursday (13 March), Russia has issued a list of demands to U.S. authorities as a prerequisite for ending the war in Ukraine, aiming to reset relations with Washington. While the exact details remain undisclosed, the demands are reportedly similar to those previously presented to Ukraine, NATO, and the U.S., including a ban on Ukraine joining NATO and recognition of Russia’s claim over Crimea and four provinces.

The demands were announced shortly before Russia’s Defense Ministry declared control over Sudzha, a key town in the Kursk region, which had been overtaken by Ukrainian forces in August 2024. This takeover followed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the military headquarters in the region, where he met with commanders.

Amid these developments, U.S. officials are advocating for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to during talks in Saudi Arabia. However, Russia remains reluctant to accept any temporary halt to the conflict, pushing for a permanent resolution. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of severe sanctions if Russia rejects the ceasefire proposal, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized direct negotiations with Russia.

In parallel, Russia’s military continues its drone attacks on Ukrainian regions, downing 77 Ukrainian drones while intercepting attacks in Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov, and Belgorod. Ukrainian forces reported shooting down 74 out of 117 Russian drones targeting multiple regions, including Kyiv and Dnipro. The ongoing aerial assaults have caused casualties and infrastructure damage, escalating tensions despite U.S. efforts to broker peace.

References

• Russia Presses US for Concessions to End Ukraine War
• Russia presents US with demands that need to be met before ending Ukraine war: report
• Putin presses Russia’s battlefield advantage as talks with US on Ukraine ceasefire begin
• Russia downs 77 Ukrainian drones overnight
• Deadly Russian aerial attacks hit Ukraine’s Kherson region