Russian media: Putin's four conditions for the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

The «secret» of the negotiations conducted with representatives of the United States and European powers in recent months was revealed to journalists by Vladimir Putin, highlighting what Moscow is really seeking from the West and Ukraine, the Russian website Moskovskiy komsomolets writes.

The four conditions

• The recognition of Crimea as Russian
• The refusal of the Kiev authorities to join NATO
• The implementation of the Minsk agreements has already been cancelled
• The demilitarisation of today's Ukraine

If these demands of Moscow are met, the situation will be considered settled in a long-term historical perspective..

Long meeting with Aliyev

Moskovskiy komsomolets inserts in its article about Putin, an excerpt about his meeting with President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, which, he notes, lasted unexpectedly long - five hours instead of the two planned.

However, after such lengthy negotiations, Vladimir Putin did not refuse to answer journalists' questions on the issue of the Donbas.

The limits of Donbas

The article states that the first question was about the recognition of the DNR and LNR (self-declared Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics). Within what limits? And what will happen now with the Minsk agreements?;

Vladimir Putin actually repeated the words of his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov: «The Minsk agreements no longer exist. As for the borders, the democracies were recognized with all the fundamental documents they had. «And their constitutions define the borders within the Donetsk and Lugansk regions at the time when they were part of Ukraine.».

In his opinion, more precise boundaries should be established in the negotiations between the DNR and LNR leaderships with Ukraine.

Putin acknowledged that such talks are not possible at the moment as hostilities continue and escalate. «But I hope it will not remain so in the future.».

The reconquest of the territories

The President did not give a clear answer whether Russian troops would go to Donbas and whether they would participate in the recapture of the «historic» territories of the DPR and LPR, if their leaders had such wishes.

Putin said the consent of the Federal Council to the use of Russian armed forces in Donbas was necessary as there is conflict there and Russia, having signed the agreements, promised to provide assistance to these republics, including military assistance.

«With this decision, we make it clear that, if necessary, we intend to fulfil our obligations,» Putin said.

At the same time, he noted that obtaining the consent of the Federal Council does not mean «that the troops will go there at this moment». And it is quite impossible to predict the specific actions of the Russian army in Donbass now: everything will depend on the situation «on the ground».