Russia renewed its comprehensive demands for the withdrawal of NATO forces to the 1997 borders.
According to a Russian negotiation document obtained by the New York Times, Russia renewed its comprehensive demands that NATO withdraw its forces and military bases to the 1997 borders. This move will actually lead to the withdrawal of the alliance's military presence in Eastern Europe, including in Poland and the Baltic states.
The proposals, presented during talks in Abu Dhabi, also demand the cessation of NATO expansion, the halting of Western military aid to Ukraine and the cessation of NATO military activity in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
In addition, Moscow demands that France and Great Britain deny the expansion of their nuclear defenses to other European countries. Ukraine will only be allowed to join the EU if it stays out of the bloc's common defense policy.
The demands largely mirror Russia's proposals from before the December 2021 invasion, although Russian negotiators have hinted that Putin may still show flexibility.