Putin Seeks Written NATO Pledge, Sanctions Rollback for Ukraine Ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set specific conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, demanding a written guarantee from Western leaders to halt NATO's eastward expansion, effectively preventing countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova from joining the alliance. Additional requirements include the lifting of key sanctions against Russia, unfreezing of Russian sovereign assets held abroad, granting Ukraine a neutral status, and protections for Russian-speaking populations within Ukraine. These demands come amid growing frustration from US President Donald Trump, who warned Putin that he is "playing with fire" by refusing to commit to ceasefire talks and has set a two-week deadline for progress. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to receive military support from Western allies, such as Germany's €5 billion aid package, which includes help in producing long-range weapons and lifting range restrictions to allow Kyiv to target military sites in Russia. The Kremlin maintains that any peace deal must address what it views as the root causes of the conflict, primarily NATO's expansion and Western support for Ukraine, but Kyiv and its allies reject Moscow's influence over Ukraine's sovereign choices. Tensions remain high as the international community watches whether these conditions will lead to peace negotiations or further escalate the conflict.