The Kremlin demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas: conditions for peace.

According to ТСН: The Kremlin has expressed the demand that Ukraine must withdraw all its troops from the territory of Donbas. Only under such conditions, they say, is Moscow ready to consider the possibility of halting hostilities.

This information was communicated by the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov. He noted that this concerns the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine beyond the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. At the same time, the Kremlin representative cynically emphasized that Russia views the cessation of war 'in the context of achieving its goals.'

Meanwhile, Peskov did not respond to the question of whether Moscow demands Kyiv to also withdraw troops from the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

'Here I have already said that we will not fully comment and delve into the public discussion of specific provisions,' replied the Kremlin representative audaciously.

He also refused to comment on ideas regarding the creation of a free economic zone in Donbas and joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, noting that the Kremlin considers this 'inappropriate' for discussion.

The peace plan of the President of Ukraine

Recall that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky previously laid out a peace plan consisting of 20 points. The most difficult among them is the 14th point, which concerns territories. According to Zelensky, the U.S. plans to create a demilitarized or free economic zone in this context that could take into account the interests of both parties.

The issue of territories raises serious contradictions, as Russia seeks to control the entire territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Vladimir Putin insists on obtaining 'the entire Donbas' during negotiations with the U.S. During the traditional pre-New Year meeting of the State Council of the Russian Federation, the dictator devoted a significant part of his speech to the topic of war and the so-called 'peace settlement.'

Thus, the Kremlin's demands for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops become a central topic in negotiations for a peaceful settlement. Against this backdrop, President Zelensky's plans for the creation of a demilitarized zone remain a complex issue that requires further discussion and agreement. It is important to monitor the situation's development, as it may significantly impact the further course of the conflict and relations between Ukraine and Russia.