Russia was not invited to the event, while China – one of Putin’s closest allies – refused to attend without the presence of Moscow.
Mr Shoemaker also said: “Additionally, Russian and Western leaders have been courting the Global South leaders since Russia invaded in 2022. Putin giving lip service to peace negotiations gives Global South leaders political cover to support Russia since Putin is ostensibly the one making peace overtures.
“This certainly sets a tone for the Swiss talks this weekend. Ukraine was hoping to be in the driver’s seat but Putin is making sure his presence is felt throughout the talks.”
The geopolitical expert added Putin’s offer has to be refused by Ukraine, as it would involve giving up major areas that are still under Kyiv’s control.
The two main conditions for a ceasefire outlined by Putin as he spoke at the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry included Ukraine renouncing its intention to join NATO and withdrawing its troops from the entirety of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
While Russian soldiers partially occupy these regions, there are several cities, including Zaporizhzhia, and villages that have either never been under the control of Moscow’s troops or were conquered back by Ukraine.
Additional conditions for a ceasefire named by Putin were lifting sanctions against Russia and Ukraine maintaining its non-nuclear status.
Ukraine has long maintained it will not negotiate with the Kremlin until Russian forces leave its internationally recognised borders.
On Friday evening, the Ukrainian President likened Putin’s proposal to Adolf Hitler’s demands ahead of World War 2.
He told Italy’s Sky TG24: “These messages are ultimatum messages. It’s the same thing Hitler did, when he said ‘give me a part of Czechoslovakia and it’ll end here’.”
Others slammed Putin’s proposal, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg saying it was “not made in good faith”, while US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “Putin has illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do to bring about a peace.”
