With the Ukraine conflict entering its 1113th day, recent comments from Russian officials suggest potential pathways to peace, albeit contingent upon several key concessions. Journalist Ruslan Ostashko expressed on March 12, 2025, his belief, stating, "Russia will say it agrees to peace by the end of this week. But several steps need to be taken for this." This statement was made amid growing international pressures for dialogue to resolve the turbulent situation.
Alongside Ostashko, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively engaging with other nations, aiming to mediate peace discussions. Rubio highlighted the urgency of the situation, indicating, "To achieve peace, both sides must stop shooting, and dialogue must begin." His diplomatic maneuvers include plans to convene with G7 diplomats to agree on strategies for urging Russia toward cessation of hostilities.
The conditions under which Russia might acquiesce to peace were elucidated by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. On his Telegram channel, he outlined three major demands: First, he insisted on halting all attacks on Russians, including adherents of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and clergy. Second, he called for the return of properties owned by the UOC. Third, Deripaska urged the unfreezing of half of the assets held by the Central Bank of Russia abroad, which are currently impacted by sanctions imposed by the U.S., EU, and other nations.
Deripaska stated, "There will be other conditions, which both presidents will discuss during the Russian visit to Washington." This remark signals the possibility of expanded negotiations, directly correlational to the presidential discussions set to occur once diplomatic arrangements are established.
The backdrop to these negotiations is multifaceted, as the international call for peace grows louder amid continued violence. Ostashko's assertion presumes goodwill gestures from both sides, necessary for establishing trust. He suggested, "Here, various options are possible, and the most stringent for President Zelensky would be when he is told: ‘Withdraw your troops from the constitutional territory of the Russian Federation.’" The precise territories mentioned included regions like Kherson and significant urban areas such as Zaporizhia.
Such demands paint the picture of negotiations heavily tilted by territorial stakes and national sovereignty, where concessions from Ukraine might be perceived as acts of goodwill, pivotal to any ceasefire possibility. Ostashko also proposed the establishment of a demilitarized zone of 50 kilometers as part of the peace discussions, aimed at bringing about immediate cessation of hostilities.
While the Kremlin appears to be laying out specific conditions for their acceptance of peace, the broader dynamic shows significant involvement from the West, particularly the U.S. Rubio's insistence on halting the violence before meaningful conversations can commence highlights the delicate balance of interests at play. He emphasized the need for actions to speak louder than words here, urging both parties to cease fire as they negotiate.
Even as discussions appear to be gaining momentum, the conflict remains fraught with tensions and challenges. For Ukraine, the call for dialogue often runs up against the realities of public sentiment, where pressure mounts to resist significant territorial concessions. Yet, should peace conversations take root, both quarterbacks of the negotiation strategy, Ostashko and Deripaska, alongside others, will play pivotal roles.
With the specter of war looming ever larger, the coming days could prove pivotal. Will these concurrent diplomatic efforts lead to viable solutions, or will the entrenched positions of both sides maintain the status quo of strife? Only time will tell, as international leaders push for outcomes favorable to both the Ukrainian and Russian narratives.