Putin gives Ukraine ultimatum: recognise 'referendums' in four occupied regions - otherwise threatens new war

Putin has issued an ultimatum to Ukraine: recognition of its "referendums", neutrality and rejection of alliances - otherwise a new war is possible. He said this in an interview with the Sky News Arabia TV channel.

According to him, the fulfilment of his demands to Ukraine is a condition "to end the conflict". Otherwise, he said, "a resumption of hostilities is possible."

The Kremlin's main demands are:

• Ukraine's recognition of "the results of referendums" in the four temporarily occupied regions that Russia has declared its territory;

• Guarantees of neutrality - complete refusal to join any international, especially military alliances;

• A ban on the deployment of nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory;

• "Protection of the rights" of the Russian-speaking population and pro-Russian citizens.

Putin also accused "external forces, " primarily the West, of prolonging the war and using Ukraine "as a tool against Russia."

Ukraine deserves a better fate than to be a bargaining chip in someone else's game," the Russian leader said.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stressed that they do not recognise fake "referendums" and that the territorial integrity of the country is not subject to discussion.

We would like to point out that the previous day, during a plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said that Russian troops could "take" the Ukrainian city of Sumy. At the same time, he stressed that they had no such task before them.

Also on 20 June, presidential spokesman Dmitriy Peskov told Sky News that Russia has a "strategic advantage" in the military conflict with Ukraine and does not intend to lose it by agreeing to a temporary cease-fire.