Russia Offers Ukraine Two Options; Draft Text of Memorandum Released

The Russian memorandum regarding the Ukrainian settlement includes two options for a ceasefire. This was reported by RIA Novosti.

The first option suggests the withdrawal of forces from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, including the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

The second option is a package proposal that pertains to a ban on the redeployment of troops, halting mobilization, and ceasing the supply of foreign military assistance to Kyiv. This option also foresees the initiation of demobilization, the exclusion of military presence from third countries, and the lifting of martial law declared in Ukraine.

Key points of the document include:

• Neutrality of Ukraine and non-affiliation with military alliances.
• Non-nuclear status for Ukraine and limiting the number of armed forces.
• Lifting economic sanctions imposed against Russia.
• International legal recognition of the annexation of Crimea, LPR, DPR, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions by Russia.
• Withdrawal from mutual claims related to damages suffered from military operations.
• Ensuring the rights and freedoms of Russian-speaking populations, lifting restrictions on the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and prohibiting the glorification of Nazism.

Furthermore, the second round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul and lasted for more than an hour.