Washington Post: Russia plans 'complete dismantling' of the Ukrainian government and buffer zones at the borders.

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The Washington Post published an exclusive investigation on a document prepared for the Kremlin, outlining Russia's tough negotiating position regarding Ukraine.

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According to the publication, the document was written in February 2025 by an influential Moscow analytical center linked to the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) and was obtained by a European intelligence service that provided it to WP journalists.

Maximalist demands of Russia regarding the end of the conflict in Ukraine

The document outlines Russia's maximalist demands for ending the conflict in Ukraine. Its authors dismiss former President Donald Trump's plans for a peace agreement within 100 days as 'impossible to implement' and assert that 'a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis cannot happen before 2026.'

Recognition of Russia's sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories

The analytical center linked to the FSB insists on recognizing Russia's sovereignty over the occupied Ukrainian territories and categorically rejects any proposals for deploying peacekeeping contingents. The document envisions further redrawing of Ukraine through the establishment of a buffer zone in the northeast along the borders with Russia's Bryansk and Belgorod regions, as well as a demilitarized zone in southern Ukraine near Crimea, which will directly affect the Odessa region.

Complete dismantling of the Ukrainian government and strengthening Russia's negotiating position

Moreover, the document discusses the need for the 'complete dismantling' of the current Ukrainian government and explores ways to strengthen Russia's negotiating position by escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, as well as between the U.S. and the European Union.

Access for the U.S. to Russian mineral resources

Interestingly, the document suggests granting the U.S. access to Russian mineral resources, including territories occupied in Ukraine, particularly Donbas, which, according to the authors, has deposits of rare-earth metals. A similar proposal was voiced by Vladimir Putin himself on February 24, when he suggested that Moscow could invite American companies to develop Russian deposits, including in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Normalization of relations between the U.S. and Russia

The document also outlines paths for normalizing relations between Washington and Moscow through the restoration of full diplomatic personnel in the embassies of both countries and the appointment of Alexander Darchiev as Russia's ambassador to the U.S. – proposals that publicly emerged after talks between Russian and American officials in Istanbul on February 27.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian leadership 'is not aware of such recommendations,' calling them 'extremely controversial' and adding that 'we are working on more thought-out options.'