Kremlin demands Ukraine withdraw from four oblasts to 'end the war'
The war will "instantly end" if Ukrainian forces "withdraw" from four oblasts claimed by Russia in 2022 and enshrined in its Constitution, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with French outlet Le Point on April 23.
When asked about reports that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told Donald Trump a ceasefire could be easily achieved if Russia took control of four Ukrainian oblasts, Dmitry Peskov confirmed: “That is exactly what President Putin said in the presence of Foreign Ministry officials.”
When asked directly if the war could end immediately if Ukraine withdrew its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts, Peskov responded affirmatively, reiterating that these oblasts are now part of Russia’s Constitution.
On April 22, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. is pushing a peace proposal under which Ukraine might recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and agree to freeze the front line.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected these proposals, saying that Ukraine will never legally recognize Russia’s occupation of the Crimea, as it violates Ukraine’s Constitution and sovereignty. He also highlighted that rumored “proposals” from President Trump do not reflect the official position of the United States.
A four-party meeting between foreign ministers from Ukraine, the UK, France, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was scheduled for April 23 in London. However, CNN reported that both Rubio and U.S. envoy Witkoff canceled their attendance, reportedly in response to Zelenskyy’s refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory — one of the key provisions in the “final U.S. peace proposal.”
According to Axios, the US plan reportedly offers Russia:
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De facto recognition of its occupation of parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts
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A promise that Ukraine will not join NATO (though EU membership is allowed)
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The lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014
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Expanded economic cooperation with the U.S., particularly in energy and industry.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not accept the loss of its territory and stressed that no official U.S. statement confirms the contents of Trump’s alleged peace initiative.
On April 22, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said that Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff will soon return to Moscow to continue ceasefire talks.
The following day, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said Washington will withdraw from negotiations if both Ukraine and Russia refused to make territorial concessions.
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