ISW assessed whether Putin intends to ease the conditions for ending the war in Ukraine.

Throughout the entire period of Russia's full-scale invasion, the conditions for ending the war with Ukraine have remained unchanged - the complete capitulation of Ukraine. This is reported by analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). They assert that Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials have repeatedly demanded conditions that are equivalent to the complete capitulation of Ukraine, such as the removal of the legitimate government and the demilitarization of the country. These demands have not changed since 2021.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the conditions that must be met to force the Russian Federation to agree to a 'just peace.' He also claimed that Ukrainian missiles and drones are arguments that contribute to a just peace.

Analysts emphasized that Kremlin officials, including Putin, are deliberately trying to distort the laws and constitution of Ukraine to claim that Zelensky is an illegitimate president. This pertains to the situation where Ukraine, adhering to its laws and constitution, did not hold elections under martial law in 2024. ISW added that the Ukrainian government legally cannot lift martial law as long as Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

We remind you that the NYT cited the main argument for Ukraine in the upcoming negotiations with Russia.