Russia has reintroduced its demands to NATO in the negotiations to end the Ukrainian war.
Moscow demanded that the alliance withdraw its military forces to their 1997 positions, halt expansion and end the shipment of Western weapons to Ukraine. Russia's demands also included restrictions on Britain and France's nuclear protection against European countries.
According to the New York Times, Russia reiterated its demands to NATO in closed-door meetings held this week with representatives of US President Donald Trump in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Kremlin's expectations regarding European security were included in the document dated November 10, which was accessed by the newspaper and confirmed by sources who participated in the negotiations.
The document revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not give up his basic goals despite diplomatic initiatives to end the war. In December 2021, Moscow asked NATO to limit its military activities in most of Eastern and Central Europe.
About two months before starting a war against Ukraine in 2022, Russia demanded that NATO withdraw its troops to their 1997 positions.
Moscow's demands also included NATO's military presence in Poland and the Baltic countries. Russia wanted the alliance to limit its military activities in Central and Eastern Europe, especially Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The document submitted by Russia stated that NATO should limit not only its military activities in Europe but also its military presence in Ukraine, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Russia's demands were not limited to the expansion of NATO and the withdrawal of its military units. Moscow also demanded that Britain and France's nuclear protection opportunities for other European countries be limited.
The document also argued that the possibility of Britain and France using their nuclear weapons to protect other European countries should be eliminated.
Russia demanded that NATO end its nuclear sharing practice in 2021.
This issue, which was also discussed in Europe last year, was brought to the agenda again following concerns about US President Trump's attitude towards defending NATO allies.
The document submitted by Russia also included the termination of military aid to Ukraine. Moscow demanded that Western countries stop the shipment of all kinds of weapons, military equipment and products to Ukraine.
The document also touched upon Ukraine's membership in the European Union and stated that Ukraine could only approve its accession to the EU on the condition that it is not included in the common defense policy.
It was stated that during the meetings in Abu Dhabi, Russian officials cited the European order during the Cold War as an example. Moscow argued that separate spheres of influence between the Soviet Union-led Warsaw Pact and the Western alliance reduced the risk of conflict.
The Russian side claimed that communication and mutual understanding between the parties was stronger when the United States and the Soviet Union had their own spheres of influence.
The document presented by Russia this week revealed that the Kremlin has not made any significant changes in its demands regarding European security in five years.
The text, described as an "unofficial document" in diplomatic terminology, reflected Russia's initial position. According to sources who participated in the talks, Russian officials also gave the message that Putin could show flexibility on some issues.
On the other hand, it was stated that the economic incentives offered by the Trump administration to Russia have not yet resulted in any concrete concessions from Moscow.
Russia's reopening of its demands took place before Putin and Trump's meeting, which is planned to be held in Shenzhen, China, next week.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Wales told reporters that US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet next week as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in China's technology center Shenzhen.
"Among other issues, the issue of reducing nuclear weapons, which President Trump believes is very dangerous to spread, will also be discussed," Wales said. Wales stated that the meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19.
