Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined conditions for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. In a speech to foreign ministry officials on Friday, Putin stated that Russia would "immediately" cease fire if Kyiv withdraws its troops from Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, and renounces plans to join NATO. Ukraine is unlikely to accept these conditions, which would effectively cede control of these regions to Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for a global summit at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to gain broader support for Kyiv's peace plan and increase pressure on Moscow. Zelenskyy will focus on nuclear safety, food security, and the return of Ukrainians, including children, held by Russia. The full retreat of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory is among other issues to be discussed later.
Some 80 world leaders are expected to attend the summit, though Putin is not invited, and nations like China, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil have declined participation due to his absence. Ukrainian officials have recently entertained the possibility of future negotiations, with a senior Ukrainian defense official suggesting that an economic impact on Russia could lead to a political collapse, potentially marking mid-2025 as a key timeframe for talks.