Russia has said military action in Ukraine would stop “in a moment” if the country meets its conditions for a ceasefire.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is demanding Ukraine cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent territories.

In an interview with Reuters, he said Russia had told Ukraine it was ready to halt its military action “in a moment” if Kyiv meets its conditions.

Putin sets ‘immoral’ condition on humanitarian corridors – latest Ukraine updates

What Russia wants from Ukraine

His remarks represent the most explicit Russian statement so far of what it wants from Ukraine to halt what it calls its “special military operation” in the country.

Mr Peskov said Ukraine was aware of the conditions, adding: “And they were told that all this can be stopped in a moment.”

Key developments:
• Boris Johnson meets foreign leaders to build united front against Vladimir Putin
• Adviser to Ukrainian president says the next round of Russia talks will begin at 4pm local time (2pm GMT)
• Foreign Office minister defends UK’s support for refugees as only ‘around 50’ visas granted so far
• Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko asks for military aircraft to help fight the Russians

Russia ‘not seeking to make further territorial claims’

Discussing Ukraine’s neutrality, he said: “They should make amendments to the constitution according to which Ukraine would reject any aims to enter any bloc. This is possible only by making changes to the constitution.”

Mr Peskov insisted Russia was not seeking to make any further territorial claims on Ukraine.

“We really are finishing the demilitarisation of Ukraine,” he said. “We will finish it. But the main thing is that Ukraine ceases its military action. They should stop their military action and then no one will shoot.

He added: “We have also spoken about how they should recognise that Crimea is Russian territory and that they need to recognise that Donetsk and Lugansk are independent states. And that’s it. It will stop in a moment.”

Read more: Why does Vladimir Putin want to invade Donetsk and Luhansk?

Delegates to meet for third round of talks

It comes as delegates from Ukraine and Russia prepared to meet on Monday for a third round of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which was launched on 24 February. It has caused the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.

Related posts:

Briton facing jail for sneaking out of Singapore quarantine hotel room to see fiancee First African woman to lead WTO after Biden lifts Trump block over job Experts puzzled by plummeting COVID-19 cases in India Former Olympic swimmer accused of running crime gang charged with trafficking £1.1m of meth Top Gear star and racing driver Sabine Schmitz dies, aged 51 Last month was second hottest July ever in Europe Russian gay family in controversial supermarket advert flees to Spain after threats Brazil v Argentina match suspended after health officials walk on to pitch in COVID row Taliban fire into air at anti-Pakistan protest as UN warns basic services on verge of collapse Russian bank run ‘has already started’ as rouble plunges to all-time low FIFA in advanced talks to suspend Russia from international competition Footage captures huge explosion after missile strikes government building in Kharkiv