Russia demands recognition of Crimea, other Ukrainian regions' annexation in any peace talks

Russia insists that international recognition of its control over Crimea and the entirety of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts must be a precondition for peace negotiations, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Brazilian outlet O Globo published on April 28.

Lavrov’s remarks, echoing recent comments from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, highlight Moscow’s continued maximalist demands despite ongoing U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal. Russia illegally annexed the four Ukrainian regions in 2022 following sham referenda, though it does not fully control them. Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014, remains central to Moscow’s territorial claims.

Reports suggest the U.S. may consider formally recognizing Russia’s control over Crimea as part of a future agreement, while rejecting full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four other occupied regions.

Beyond territorial demands, Lavrov said Russia also requires Ukraine’s demilitarization, a ban on NATO membership, and constitutional changes restoring the status of the Russian language, culture, and religious organizations in Ukraine — conditions similar to those set at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Lavrov further insisted that Ukraine lift its ban on direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though his call for preconditions contradicts earlier Kremlin statements offering talks without prior demands.

Kyiv has consistently ruled out ceding territory, and both Ukraine and its allies have rejected calls to shrink the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Lavrov also demanded the lifting of Western sanctions, the abolition of international lawsuits and arrest warrants against Russian officials, and the return of frozen Russian assets — funds that Western countries have already begun redirecting to support Ukraine.

Additionally, Lavrov called for "reliable security guarantees" from NATO, the EU, and their member states to protect Russia’s western borders.

Lavrov claimed that Russia remains open to negotiations but blamed Kyiv for a lack of "political will for peace," adding that Washington under President Donald Trump has shown greater understanding of Moscow’s position.

It has been over 45 days since Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire introduced in March. Moscow rejected the offer, demanding a complete halt to Western military aid. Despite public claims of supporting de-escalation, Russia has continued offensive operations and intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure, including an attack on Kyiv on April 24 that killed 13 people.

Meanwhile, a separate ceasefire focused on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, brokered during Saudi-hosted talks in late March, has been repeatedly violated. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reports more than 30 breaches since the truce began on March 25.

Russia wants to deceive America and continue the war - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to "deceive" the U.S. and other countries to prolong its full-scale war in Ukraine, speaking during his evening address on April 27.

Zelensky's remarks followed his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Vatican, which both leaders described as productive. Trump afterward questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to peace, while Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s call for a "full and unconditional ceasefire."

"The Russians talk a lot about their alleged readiness to accept American proposals," Zelensky said, noting that Moscow has resumed front-line assaults without any sign of preparing for peace. "Every day of such battles proves clearly that Russia is trying to deceive the world — to deceive America and others — and to drag out this war."

Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire over a month ago, Zelensky said, also suggesting a halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure. Russia has rejected both, continuing missile, drone, and aerial bomb strikes.

"Since March 11, the Russians have launched nearly 8,500 aerial bombs, 200 missiles, and 3,000 Shaheds, mostly targeting civilian areas," Zelensky added.

He called for greater international pressure to stop Russian aggression.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the coming week would be "crucial" for the peace process and could determine whether Washington continues its mediation efforts. "We’ll have to decide whether to stay engaged or shift our focus elsewhere," Rubio told NBC.

After earlier promising to end the war "in 24 hours" or "100 days," Trump recently suggested he might walk away from negotiations if either side proves "difficult."

The current U.S. ceasefire proposal reportedly includes concessions favorable to Moscow, such as recognizing the illegal annexation of Crimea and lifting sanctions — but lacks security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Europe have drafted an alternative peace plan offering strong security assurances and no territorial concessions before a full ceasefire.

Putin announces 3-day truce on Victory Day's 80th anniversary

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a so-called "humanitarian" ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Kremlin said on April 28. The truce is set to last from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11.

"During this period, all military actions will cease. Russia believes that the Ukrainian side should follow this example," the Kremlin stated. However, Moscow continues to reject Kyiv's demand for a full, unconditional ceasefire as the first step toward peace.

The announcement comes amid intensified U.S. pressure for a ceasefire, with President Donald Trump urging Putin to "sit down and sign a deal." U.S. officials have warned they may withdraw from mediation efforts if no progress is made.

The Kremlin claims Russia remains ready for "peace negotiations without preconditions," although Kyiv and its allies view such offers with skepticism.

Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council official Andrii Kovalenko criticized the limited truce, calling it "Russian manipulation" meant to mask Moscow’s intent to continue the war.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump seeks a permanent ceasefire. "While he remains optimistic, he’s also realistic," she said, adding that Trump is committed to acting as a "peacemaker president" once again.

The Victory Day ceasefire is the latest in a string of short-term truces Moscow has declared — and repeatedly violated. During the Easter truce earlier this month, Ukraine accused Russia of nearly 3,000 violations between April 19 and 21. A similar pattern has been seen with a partial truce on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Despite Russia's repeated claims of readiness for peace talks, Kyiv has dismissed these moves as propaganda, pointing to the continued escalation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.