Russia’s U.N. representative says halting Western weapons supplies and ending Ukraine’s draft are necessary for any ceasefire deal

As Ukrainian officials wait for a promised memorandum on Russia’s vision for a peace treaty, Russia's permanent representative to the U.N., Vasily Nebenzya, told the U.N. Security Council on May 30 that Moscow’s “minimum” terms for a ceasefire deal are that “Western countries cease supplying weapons to the Kyiv regime” and that Ukraine end its military draft. 

“In principle, we are prepared to consider the possibility of establishing a ceasefire regime that would subsequently allow for a sustainable resolution of the root causes of the conflict. But for this, we must see reciprocal steps from the other side,” Vasily Nebenzya said.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul on May 16 for their first direct talks in more than three years, following a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Three days later, on May 19, the Russian president announced that Moscow is “ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum concerning a possible future peace treaty.” Nine days later, on May 28, Russia proposed another round of talks in Istanbul on June 2. Ukraine’s foreign minister has welcomed continued negotiations, but the Zelensky administration says it’s still waiting for Moscow’s promised memorandum.