Russia has said military action in Ukraine would stop “in a moment” if the country meets its conditions for a ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is demanding Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent territories.
In an interview with Reuters, he said Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action “in a moment” if Kyiv meets its conditions.
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What Russia wants from Ukraine
His remarks represent the most explicit Russian statement so far of what it wants from Ukraine to halt what it calls its “special military operation” in the country.
Mr Peskov said Ukraine was aware of the conditions, adding: “And they were told that all this can be stopped in a moment.”
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A map showing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russia ‘not seeking to make further territorial claims’
Discussing Ukraine’s neutrality, he said: “They should make amendments to the constitution according to which Ukraine would reject any aims to enter any bloc. This is possible only by making changes to the constitution.”
Mr Peskov insisted Russia was not seeking to make any further territorial claims on Ukraine.
“We really are finishing the demilitarisation of Ukraine,” he said. “We will finish it. But the main thing is that Ukraine ceases its military action. They should stop their military action and then no one will shoot.
He added: “We have also spoken about how they should recognise that Crimea is Russian territory and that they need to recognise that Donetsk and Lugansk are independent states. And that’s it. It will stop in a moment.”
Read more: Why does Vladimir Putin want to invade Donetsk and Luhansk?
Delegates to meet for third round of talks
It comes as delegates from Ukraine and Russia prepared to meet on Monday for a third round of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which was launched on 24 February. It has caused the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.