Russia wants to rebuild the security system in Europe along the lines of the Cold War: NATO should return to its 1997 positions, abandon expansion to the East and stop military support for Ukraine. The New York Times.
The publication claims to have received a copy of the document circulated by Russian representatives during closed negotiations with the American delegation in Abu Dhabi.
The document, dated November 10, was authenticated by two parties familiar with the negotiations.
According to the document, the Russian Federation demands that NATO abandon further expansion, as well as "any military activity" on the territory of Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Also, Moscow allegedly insists on the return of allied troops and military bases to the positions of 1997 - before the accession of Central and Eastern European countries to NATO.
This means a significant reduction in the alliance's military presence in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
According to them, Russia demands a complete cessation of the supply of weapons and Western military equipment to Ukraine.
Moscow is ready to agree to Ukraine's accession to the European Union only if the country does not participate in the European Union's common defense policy.
A separate demand concerns nuclear weapons: Russia wants Britain and France to give up the ability to use their nuclear arsenals to defend other European countries.
According to the NYT, at the negotiations in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives directly called the Cold War system a model for the future structure of Europe.
They argued that the division of spheres of influence then existing between the Soviet Union and the United States, as well as agreements between the two powers, reduced the likelihood of a military conflict.
Most of these demands repeat the Russian proposals from December 2021, which were made shortly before the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, the publication said.
Then the US and NATO rejected them.