As fragile ceasefire efforts between Russia and Ukraine continue to falter, a Ukrainian government source has revealed that Russia issued a demand for Ukraine to pull back its troops from key frontline positions as a precondition for any truce. The demand, described by Kyiv as unacceptable, further complicates already strained negotiations aimed at de-escalating the war.
According to the unnamed Ukrainian source speaking to Reuters, Moscow’s insistence that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the eastern and southern combat zones was presented during back-channel talks facilitated by unnamed third-party mediators. The condition, reportedly delivered earlier this week, has not been officially acknowledged by Russian authorities.
“This was a non-starter for us,” the source said. “No sovereign country can agree to such terms, especially not under duress and while defending its own territory.” The source added that Russia’s proposal appeared to be aimed more at propaganda than diplomacy, designed to portray Ukraine as unwilling to engage in peace talks.
This revelation comes just a day after a major Russian air and drone strike killed nine civilians in central Ukraine. The strike occurred only hours after the two sides appeared to have made tentative progress in indirect ceasefire negotiations. Ukrainian officials said the attack undermined any remaining trust and demonstrated that Moscow is not serious about ending the war.
Russia, for its part, has neither confirmed nor denied the troop withdrawal demand. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov simply reiterated that Russia “remains open to negotiations that recognize the realities on the ground”—a phrase often used by Russian officials to suggest Kyiv must accept Russia’s territorial claims over annexed Ukrainian regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration has repeatedly stated that any peace talks must begin with a full Russian withdrawal from occupied territories, including Crimea. Zelenskyy’s office dismissed the reported Russian condition as a “cynical attempt to shift blame” and reaffirmed that Ukraine will continue to resist aggression.
Western governments reacted with caution to the report. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said Washington supports Ukraine’s position that any negotiations must be “fair, just, and based on international law.” Meanwhile, the European Union urged Moscow to demonstrate “genuine commitment” to peace by halting attacks on civilian infrastructure and engaging in good-faith talks.
Analysts say Russia’s latest condition may be part of a broader strategy to test international reactions and weaken Ukrainian resolve without making genuine concessions. “This kind of proposal allows Moscow to claim it is pursuing peace while setting terms it knows Ukraine cannot accept,” said Nina Khrushcheva, a Moscow-based political analyst. “It’s a diplomatic trap meant to shift blame.”
The timing of Russia’s demand is also notable, coming amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in several Ukrainian cities and growing war fatigue among the civilian population. Ukrainian officials say Russia is trying to capitalize on internal pressures in Ukraine and hopes to divide Western opinion by portraying itself as the more “reasonable” party in peace efforts.
Despite the diplomatic stalemate, both countries have continued to engage with mediators behind the scenes. The United Nations and Turkey are said to be playing quiet roles in maintaining communication lines between the two sides, though no breakthrough has emerged.
Military activity continues on multiple fronts. Ukrainian forces report renewed Russian offensives in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, while Russia accuses Ukraine of cross-border drone attacks on Belgorod and other cities near the frontier. Neither side appears willing to make significant battlefield concessions that could lead to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. Humanitarian agencies report that over 10 million Ukrainians remain displaced, with shortages of electricity, clean water, and medical supplies in hard-hit areas. The UN has called for urgent international assistance and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
As diplomatic efforts stall and military operations escalate, the outlook for peace remains bleak. With both sides holding fast to their core demands—and Russia now adding new conditions—hopes for a ceasefire appear to be slipping further away.
Source: Reuters
