Russia to Push for Ukraine to Limit NATO Relations in Peace Talks with Trump: Report

“Kremlin to Permit NATO Countries to Continue Arms Shipments to Kyiv Under Bilateral Agreements, Report Says”

Russia plans to demand that Ukraine significantly reduce its military ties with NATO in any potential peace talks with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday. The demand is part of Moscow’s broader strategy to ensure that Ukraine does not deepen its relationship with the alliance, which Russia views as a threat to its influence in the region.

The report suggests that Russia sees this as a crucial condition for negotiations and a way to limit Ukraine’s integration into NATO’s military framework. It is unclear whether the U.S. administration under Trump would agree to such a demand or how Ukraine would respond to this pressure, especially given its ongoing conflict with Russia and its aspirations for closer ties with NATO.

In addition to the reduction of military cooperation, Russia’s demands could extend to other aspects of Ukraine’s foreign policy and military alliances, creating a significant hurdle for any peace talks. The development highlights the ongoing tension between Russia and the West, with Ukraine caught in the middle of the geopolitical struggle.

The Bloomberg report, citing sources familiar with Moscow’s preparations, revealed that the Kremlin plans to demand Ukraine become a neutral state with a limited military force as a condition for any peace talks with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. Moscow’s stance reportedly permits individual NATO members to provide arms to Ukraine through bilateral agreements, but with strict limitations on their use.

According to the sources, Russia insists that weapons supplied through these agreements must not be used against Russian forces or to reclaim Ukrainian territory currently under Moscow’s control. This condition reflects Russia’s goal of maintaining its hold over the territories it has captured during the ongoing conflict.

The report also underscores that Russia’s conditions for peace talks include retaining control over nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory seized since the war began, along with retaining its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Moscow is said to be open to negotiations involving potential “territory swaps” as part of a broader settlement.

Last Friday, Donald Trump revealed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is being planned. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Monday that no substantial preparations for such talks have taken place yet.

The Russia-Ukraine war has led to ongoing territorial disputes, with Russia annexing Crimea in 2014 and occupying large swaths of eastern Ukraine since the conflict escalated in 2022. These actions have sparked widespread international condemnation and have resulted in sanctions against Russia from Western nations. The war has strained international relations, particularly between Russia and NATO members, and has led to significant geopolitical realignments. Ukraine has sought closer ties with NATO and the European Union, while Russia views NATO’s expansion as a direct threat to its security. The conflict has also caused immense human suffering, with tens of thousands of casualties and millions displaced.

Courtesy: WION

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