Tensions are rising once again as Russian President Vladimir Putin issues a firm list of peace conditions to end the war in Ukraine—now the deadliest conflict in Europe since WWII. According to insiders, Putin wants written guarantees from Western powers to halt NATO’s eastward expansion and ease crippling sanctions on Russia. But it comes with a chilling warning: if peace isn’t on his terms, Russia will escalate militarily to raise the cost for Ukraine and its European allies.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has consistently vowed to end the war, is reportedly losing patience. After a heated two-hour call with Putin, Trump accused him of “playing with fire” and warned of new sanctions if ceasefire talks fail. The Kremlin is currently drafting a peace memorandum, but no deadline has been set.
According to the sources, Russia’s demands include:
1.A written commitment by Western powers not to expand NATO to include Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or other former Soviet states.
2.Ukrainian neutrality.
3.Lifting of certain Western sanctions.
4.Resolution of the issue of frozen Russian sovereign assets.
5.Guarantees for the protection of Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.
Ukraine and NATO have not formally responded, though the alliance maintains it won’t abandon its “open door” policy, even under pressure. Russia, which launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022, now controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, alongside Crimea.
Despite battlefield gains, Russia faces mounting economic strain with soaring inflation, labor shortages, and declining oil revenues. Observers note that Putin has hardened his stance, now demanding total control over the four eastern regions. The geopolitical ripple effects are massive—Finland and Sweden joined NATO, citing Russia as the threat.
Putin wants ironclad commitments, citing broken verbal promises from the Cold War era. Meanwhile, Western leaders fear that giving in could embolden future aggression, potentially dragging the world into a broader conflict.