The investigation project Sistema of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), reported on November 4 that it had obtained the initial draft of Moscow’s peace offer to Kyiv. This was issued days after Russia’s war against Ukraine began.
In the early months of war, Moscow and Kyiv failed to negotiate directly with Belarus and Turkey.
The six-page document published by Sistema had four pages of annexes, and was dated 7 March 2022. The Russian delegation presented it to the Ukrainian side at the third round in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.
A Russian source confirmed the authenticity of a draft that Sistema received from an unnamed Ukrainian who was familiar with the discussions.
The article stated that the unilateral terms of the agreement meant Kyiv’s surrender.
The New York Times (NYT), in June, published the full 17-page purported document dated April 15,2022. The second draft has some similarities to the original, including the lifting of all the sanctions against Moscow. However, Russia has softened its position on other demands.
In the original document, dated 7 March, Moscow demanded Ukraine reduce its army to 50,000 soldiers, five times less people than the country has by 2022. It also demanded that Ukraine reduce the number ships, helicopters and tanks.
Russia intended to ban Ukraine from developing “any other types of weapon as a result scientific research.” According to the draft, Moscow demanded that Ukraine not produce, acquire, or deploy missile weapons “of any kind with a range greater than 250 km.”
Ukraine should also have confirmed the independence and rebuilt the infrastructure of the eastern Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast, which were by then partially occupied by Russia.
Russia demanded, among other things to de facto legalize Soviet communist symbols in Ukraine.
In June 2024, Russian President Putin stated that Ukrainian troops would have to leave the Donetsk oblast, Luhansk oblast, Kherson oblast, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast as a precondition for peace negotiations. He also said that Ukraine had to recognize Russia’s annexation and give up any desire to join NATO. Kyiv rejected the demand.
The Ukraine said that peace talks should take place on the basis its 10-step peace formulation, which includes the full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.
The six-page document envisaged Ukraine reducing its military to 50,000 soldiers, five times fewer than it had by 2022. It also envisaged accepting the independence of eastern Donetsk, and Luhansk, oblasts that were by then partially occupied by Russia.
After a phone call with Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We expect to get it by the end this year.”
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Russia launched more than 2,00 strike drones in October, breaking its previous record of nearly 700 set in September.
In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree that allows foreigners who served in the Russian Army for a year on a contract basis, as well as close relatives of those individuals, to apply for Russian citizenship using a simplified process.
In a television interview on November 4, Andriy Yeromak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office said that Ukraine does not hold direct talks with Russia about an energy ceasefire, but is open to the idea of a third party mediating the implementation the peace formula.
Another 15% of respondents said that they would be willing to endure the conflict for several more months. And 4% said that they could tolerate it for another six months.
“We are registering an increased supply of packages of defense assistance.” “The situation with artillery is improving,” wrote President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram following a meeting of Supreme Commander-in Chief’s Staff.
Boris Johnson, referring to Trump’s “Make America great again” slogan, said: “I cannot imagine that a guy so passionate about his nation… would want to start his presidency by allowing the Soviet Empire be great once more.”
The attack caused damage to a supermarket, apartment buildings with multiple stories, commercial properties, and cars.
Kazem Jalali, the Iranian Ambassador to Russia, said on November 4 that Russia will launch two Iranian Satellites, Kowsar & Hodhod into orbit using a Soyuz Launcher on Nov. 5.
Overnight, Russia launched 80 Shaheds as well as other drones. Ukrainian air defenses shot off 50 of them, while 27 were “lost”, the Air Force reported.
According to reports, the instructions were distributed among Russian troops. According to Kyiv, Moscow’s losses have reached 700,000.
“Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine is an existential danger.” Josep Borrell, after meeting South Korean Defense minister Kim Yong Hyun on X, said that the Republic of Korea was best positioned to comprehend it.
Annalena Bärbock, the German Foreign Minister, said that she was arriving in Ukraine and that “we are fighting this brutality by our humanity and support so that Ukrainians not only survive winter but that their country can also survive.”
Wi Sung Lac, a South Korean member of the parliamentary intelligence committee told The Korea Herald that North Korean soldiers receive $2,000 per monthly for their service. This would amount to at least $200,000,000 annually if multiplied by 10,000 soldiers.
Andrii Kovalenko didn’t provide any additional details about the circumstances of the engagement, or possible losses for the North Korean side.
This includes 1,300 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
The Finnish authorities have announced that a new political museum will open at the same location on February 15, 2025. The museum’s focus will be on Finnish-Russian relationships, including developments of the 21st Century.
“This would be a very dangerous escalation in the war in Ukraine.” Stephane Dujarric said that everything must be done to prevent any internationalization of the conflict.
A total of 54% of respondents said they wanted Ukraine to win, while only 20% supported Russia. Even in countries that have not been Kyiv’s traditional allies, there was strong support for Ukraine.
According to the Moldovan election commission, Maia Sandu, an incumbent pro-EU president, had a 9-point advantage over Alexandr Stoianoglo after nearly 99% of the votes were counted.
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