(NEWSnet/AP) — Russia President Vladimir Putin vowed Friday to order a cease-fire in Ukraine and start negotiations if Kyiv begins to withdraw troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the proposal. He interprets it as an ultimatum for Ukraine to surrender additional territory.

Broader demands for peace that Putin listed included withdrawing a plan to join NATO, Ukraine’s recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, keeping the nation’s non-nuclear status and restricting military force.

Putin’s suggestion came as Switzerland prepared to host world leaders to determine steps toward peace in Ukraine. That meeting does not involve Russia.

Putin blasted the conference as a ploy "to divert everyone’s attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track.”

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