Putin Sets Conditions for Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his conditions for initiating peace negotiations with Ukraine, stating that Moscow will only enter a ceasefire and begin talks if Ukraine abandons its bid to join NATO. According to Putin, Ukrainian troops must be completely withdrawn from the Donetsk People's Republic, and Russia must regain control over four regions it invaded. This is the first time Putin has publicly offered a truce and listed terms. Putin's conditions have been met with skepticism by Ukraine, which has called his proposal "manipulative" and "absurd". The US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, also dismissed Putin's demands, stating that he was in no position to make demands on Ukraine.