Russia is demanding that NATO return to its 1997 borders and cease military aid to Ukraine, - NYT
Russia has once again demanded that NATO reduce its military presence to 1997 levels and refrain from further expansion of the alliance. Moscow also wants to secure a halt to Western arms supplies to Ukraine. These conditions form part of the Kremlin’s proposals for a new European security architecture.
According to Censor.NET, this is reported by The New York Times.
According to journalists, the Russian delegation put forward these demands during closed-door talks in Abu Dhabi this week. This is the same position that Moscow had put forward as early as the beginning of 2022.
The NYT has seen a document dated 10 November, the authenticity of which has been confirmed by two sources. It sets out the Kremlin’s conditions for the post-war order in Europe.
What concessions is Moscow demanding from NATO?
Among Russia’s key demands are that the alliance refrain from further expansion and cease all NATO military activities in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
In addition, Moscow is demanding:
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withdraw troops and dismantle military bases in countries that joined NATO after 1997;
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cease the alliance’s military activities on the territory of Ukraine and a number of other regions;
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to renounce agreements on the joint use of nuclear weapons;
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require France and the United Kingdom to rule out the possibility of using their nuclear weapons to defend other European countries.
As the NYT notes, this would effectively mean a reduction in NATO’s military presence, particularly in Poland and the Baltic states.
The publication points out that, compared with its 2021 demands, Moscow has put forward an additional condition: it now wants to limit not only the role of US nuclear weapons in European security, but also the nuclear deterrent provided by France and the UK.
Russia wants an end to military aid to Ukraine
A separate clause in the document concerns Ukraine. The Kremlin is demanding an end to the supply of all types of Western weapons, military equipment and products to the country.
At the same time, Moscow states that it would agree to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union – provided, however, that Ukraine does not participate in the bloc’s common defence policy.
According to the NYT, Russian negotiators have also made it clear that they envisage a future European order modelled on the Cold War – with the continent divided into spheres of influence between the USSR and the US. In the Russian view, such a system allegedly reduced the risk of conflict.
Is Moscow prepared to make concessions?
The NYT clarifies that the document reflects the Kremlin’s initial position, rather than the final terms of a possible agreement. During the meeting in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives indicated that Vladimir Putin might show flexibility and make certain concessions.
US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reminded the Russian delegation that the situation has changed since December 2021. At that time, Moscow had also demanded a review of security agreements and a de facto restriction on NATO’s military activity in Eastern and Central Europe.
According to an American official, US representatives urged the Russians to focus on the future. At the same time, the American envoys remain open to new proposals from the Kremlin, provided they include concrete steps by Russia to reduce tensions.
