Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be willing to "immediately" cease hostilities with Ukraine. This Friday he imposed a number of questions in order to move forward with negotiations.

Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its troops from four regions, namely Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijia, and to abandon plans to join Nato.

"...and as soon as you notify us that you are abandoning your plans to join NATO, we will immediately, at this very moment, give the order to cease fire and start negotiations," Putin told Russian Foreign Ministry officials.

A top Ukrainian aide on Friday rejected the conditions set by the Russian president for starting peace talks, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions partially occupied by Russia.

"It's all a total farce. So - once again - get rid of the illusions and stop taking seriously the 'Russia proposals' that are offensive to common sense," wrote Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, on social media.

The Russian leader listed Ukraine's non-nuclear status, restrictions on its military force and the protection of the interests of the Russian-speaking population in the country as broader demands for peace. All these demands should be part of "fundamental international agreements" and all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted, Putin said.

"We are pushing to turn this tragic page in history and to start restoring unity, step by step, between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe in general," he said.