from the thread article

MOSCOW, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin is demanding that Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donbas region, renounce ambitions to join NATO, remain neutral and keep Western troops out of the country, three sources familiar with top-level Kremlin thinking told Reuters.

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another:

"A senior NATO defense official pointed out that Putin's wish list was not unexpected and voiced suspicion that he could add to his list of demands in the future.

"Whatever helps to stall," the official, who spoke to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity, said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov raised geopolitical eyebrows this week when he claimed in a televised interview that Moscow has "never talked about the need to seize any territories."

(huh?)

Instead, his comments escalated concern that Putin's ultimate war aim is the control of Kyiv, rather than physical occupation of all of Ukraine, which Russian forces have been unable to achieve.

Lavrov said the Kremlin's goal is to "protect" Ukrainians from their own government and argued "there can be no talk of any long-term agreements" with Kyiv "without respect" for Russia's security and the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War reported this week.

"These are the reasons that must be urgently eliminated in the context of a settlement," Lavrov added."

"Russia says Ukraine not interested' in long-term peace

Comments by Russia's FM come as Ukraine's Zelenskyy says security guarantees needed before Putin meeting.

Lavrov also repeated Russia's policy that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy " but only after key issues have previously been worked out by senior officials in what could be a long negotiating process.

His comments came as Zelenskyy announced he could meet with Putin, but only after his allies agree to security guarantees for Ukraine to deter future Russian attacks once the fighting stops.

In comments released on Thursday, Zelenskyy also warned that both sides were preparing for further fighting. Russia was building up troops on the southern front line and Ukraine was test-launching a new long-range cruise missile, he said."