Russia has just handed the U.S. a list of demands—yes, demands—that they say need to be met for the war in Ukraine to finally come to an end. According to Reuters, which cited sources “familiar with the matter,” these requests aren’t just about Ukraine; they’re about hitting the reset button on relations between Moscow and Washington.
Now, let’s put this in perspective. This list was presented right before Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that they’ve taken control of Sudzha, a key town in the Kursk region that Ukrainian forces had been holding since their unexpected cross-border offensive last August. And guess what? That move came just days after Vladimir Putin himself showed up at Russian military headquarters in the region. Coincidence? Unlikely.
So, what’s in this mysterious list of demands? The full details aren’t public yet, but sources say they resemble past conditions Russia has put on the table. That means things like stopping Ukraine from joining NATO, banning foreign troops from setting up shop there, and—here’s the big one—officially recognizing Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces as Russian territory. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Russia has been pushing for these things for years, and they’re not backing down now.
There we have it. Zelenskyy says Ukraine will never recognize any land taken over by Russia as Russian. He does not want peace, and he is doing all in his power to avoid it. pic.twitter.com/qG63teXEMJ
— JKash 🍊MAGA Queen (@JKash000) March 12, 2025
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. For the last few weeks, Russian and American officials have reportedly been discussing these terms, both in person and virtually. But where does the U.S. stand? Well, Secretary of State Marco Rubio (yes, that Marco Rubio—because, in case you missed it, he’s now running diplomacy under Trump’s administration) has made it clear that America is taking a direct approach. He’s bringing Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire straight to the Russians and waiting to see their reaction.
“We’re going to bring it to them directly,” Rubio said. “We’re going to say that Ukraine is prepared to stop all battlefield activity and begin an immediate process of negotiating an enduring end of the war. And we’ll see what their response is. If their response is yes, then we know we’ve made real progress, and there’s a real chance of peace. If their response is no, it will be highly unfortunate, and then it’ll make their intentions clear.”
Trump: “Ceasefire. Ukraine. Ceasefire… Now we have to go to Russia and hopefully President Putin will agree to that also and we can get this show on the road… We want to get that war over with.” pic.twitter.com/PTbnsZt6Pu
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 11, 2025
As of now, Russia isn’t exactly jumping at the chance to agree to a temporary truce. They’ve been holding out for something more permanent, which makes sense given their long-term goals. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected to head to Moscow soon. Could that signal a breakthrough? Maybe. But if Russia continues to reject anything short of full capitulation to its demands, then the world might have to brace for this war to keep dragging on.
Bottom line? The chessboard is shifting, but Russia’s strategy remains the same—apply pressure, make demands, and see how much the West is willing to concede. Now, the big question is: How will the U.S. and its allies respond?
