Russia's Peace Plan: What Moscow Really Wants from Ukraine

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been pushing for a peace deal with Ukraine, but what exactly does Moscow want from such an agreement? According to Julia Ioffe, a Russia-U.S. relations expert, Russia's primary goal is to secure a ceasefire and a withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the contested Donbas region. Ioffe stated in an interview with NPR's Michel Martin that Russia is seeking a "status quo" in Ukraine, where the country's eastern regions, particularly the Donbas, are granted greater autonomy. This would essentially mean that Ukraine would have to accept a federalized system, where the central government in Kiev would have limited control over the eastern regions. Russia has long maintained that the Donbas region is home to ethnic Russians and that Ukraine's government has been persecuting them. Ioffe noted that Russia's demands for a peace deal are not just about the Donbas region but also about the country's overall security and influence in the region. "Russia wants to be able to project its power and influence in the region without facing any opposition from Ukraine," she said. "They want to be able to control the flow of energy and resources through Ukraine, and they want to be able to use Ukraine as a buffer zone against NATO expansion." The conflict in Ukraine began in 2014, when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in a popular uprising. Russia responded by annexing Crimea and supporting separatist rebels in the Donbas region. Since then, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of millions. Ioffe emphasized that Russia's goals in Ukraine are not just about territorial control but also about undermining the country's sovereignty and independence. "Russia wants to create a situation where Ukraine is unable to make its own decisions and is forced to rely on Russia for economic and military support," she said. The latest developments in the conflict have been marked by a significant escalation of violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement. The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but it remains to be seen whether Russia and Ukraine can come to a mutually acceptable agreement. In the meantime, Ioffe warned that the conflict in Ukraine has significant implications for the global community. "The conflict in Ukraine is not just a regional issue but a global one," she said. "It has the potential to destabilize the entire region and even lead to a wider conflict between Russia and NATO."