Russia outlines conditions for Ukraine settlement at Istanbul talks
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A Russian memorandum presented during peace talks in Istanbul outlines key demands for resolving the Ukraine conflict, including Ukraine's neutrality, withdrawal from Russian territories, and more.
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The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, center, speaks to the media at the Ciragan Palace following the Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
During the second round of negotiations held in Istanbul, Russia presented a memorandum detailing its conditions for a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine, according to a document obtained by RIA Novosti.
The talks, held at Ciragan Palace, lasted over an hour.
The memorandum calls for the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces and paramilitary units from territories Russia considers part of its federation: the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Lugansk (Luhansk) People's Republic (LPR), as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
It also demands international legal recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over these areas, including Crimea, stipulating that Ukraine must ensure the full rights and freedoms of Russian-speaking communities within its borders.
It also calls for official status to be granted to the Russian language.
“Key parameters of a final settlement include ensuring the full rights, freedoms, and interests of the Russian and Russian-speaking population,” the document states.
Ukraine’s neutrality and military limitations
One of the core demands of the Russian proposal is that Ukraine adopt a neutral status, which would prohibit the country from joining any military alliances or coalitions. The memorandum also demands a ban on foreign military presence on Ukrainian territory, including the deployment of military bases and infrastructure.
“Ukraine's neutrality entails its refusal to join military alliances, and prohibits any third-party military activity within its territory,” the document reads.
The memorandum suggests the lifting of restrictions on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which Russia accuses Ukrainian authorities of suppressing.
It also includes a ban on the glorification and propaganda of Nazism and neo-Nazism, alongside the dissolution of nationalist organizations and parties, as part of the political and ideological restructuring outlined in the proposed settlement.
Two-phase ceasefire proposal
The document outlines two possible options for achieving a ceasefire.
Under the first option, Ukraine would begin a complete withdrawal from Russian-held territories, including DPR, LPR, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, to a mutually agreed distance.
The ceasefire would commence with the start of the withdrawal process and last for 30 days. Within that time frame, the full implementation of the "package agreement" and the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces would need to be completed.
The second ceasefire option is of a "package" character, providing for a number of conditions, the document added.
Moscow submits comprehensive two-part memorandum
The latest round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul has produced a series of tangible agreements focused on humanitarian relief, even as broader political and military disputes remain unresolved.
"Russia's memorandum on settlement in Ukraine [is] detailed, elaborated," Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky stated, explaining that the proposal includes "steps toward full-fledged ceasefire" with "variability and several ways" for implementation.
The Ukrainian delegation has received the document for review.
Although a full ceasefire was not achieved, the talks led to several practical breakthroughs. Medinsky announced that "Russia identifies all bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to be handed over to Kiev" and will "unilaterally transfer 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to Kiev next week." This step, aimed at reducing humanitarian suffering, was part of a series of coordinated gestures to de-escalate tensions.
One of the most notable outcomes was the agreement on a major prisoner exchange, described by Medinsky as the largest to date.
