Russia demands international recognition of Crimea, four Ukrainian regions for peace talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated that Russia will only consider peace negotiations if the international community recognizes its annexation of Crimea and four Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—despite not fully controlling all these territories. Lavrov outlined additional demands including Ukraine’s neutrality, a ban on joining NATO, the repeal of laws seen as anti-Russian, demilitarization, and the lifting of Western sanctions and legal actions against Russian officials. These conditions echo the Kremlin’s longstanding maximalist stance since the outset of its full-scale invasion. The U.S. has reportedly floated the idea of recognizing Russia's control over Crimea as part of potential talks, but both Ukraine and its allies have rejected any plan that would require ceding territory or reducing Ukraine’s armed forces. Meanwhile, Moscow frames its willingness to negotiate as responsive to changing dynamics, including perceptions of waning Western support for Kyiv. Ukrainian leaders remain firmly opposed to surrendering any territory or accepting Russia's terms for peace.