NYT: Russia Demands NATO Withdrawal from Poland and the Baltic States
World
Russia has demanded that NATO withdraw forces from the alliance’s eastern flank, including Poland and the Baltic states, and that Western countries stop supplying weapons to Ukraine. The New York Times reported this, citing a Russian document dated November 10 that was presented during closed-door talks with representatives of US President Donald Trump.
According to the newspaper, a participant in the negotiations provided journalists with a copy of the document, while another source familiar with the talks confirmed its authenticity. Russian officials set out Moscow’s position during meetings in Abu Dhabi on ending the war and Europe’s future security architecture.
The document calls for NATO troops to be withdrawn from the eastern flank, including Poland and the Baltic states. Moscow also demands an end to supplies to Ukraine of any Western weapons, military equipment or defence-related products. Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is described as acceptable, provided Kyiv does not take part in the bloc’s common defence policy.
The NYT says Russian representatives invoked the Cold War-era model of Europe being divided into Soviet and US spheres of influence. Kremlin officials pointed to the balance between the blocs, including the Warsaw Pact, as an example of how Europe could be organised after the war in Ukraine ends.
The document also indicates that economic incentives discussed by Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have not so far led Moscow to soften its position. The current demands largely repeat proposals made by Russian President Vladimir Putin before the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Sources cited by the newspaper suggest Moscow may be opening with maximalist demands in order to agree to some concessions later. The document, however, records Russia’s initial position rather than an agreement reached by the parties. Its contents do not mean that the demands have been accepted by the United States, Ukraine or European countries. No agreement on these conditions has been announced.
The document calls for NATO troops to be withdrawn from the eastern flank, including Poland and the Baltic states. Moscow also demands an end to supplies to Ukraine of any Western weapons, military equipment or defence-related products. Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is described as acceptable, provided Kyiv does not take part in the bloc’s common defence policy.
The NYT says Russian representatives invoked the Cold War-era model of Europe being divided into Soviet and US spheres of influence. Kremlin officials pointed to the balance between the blocs, including the Warsaw Pact, as an example of how Europe could be organised after the war in Ukraine ends.
The document also indicates that economic incentives discussed by Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have not so far led Moscow to soften its position. The current demands largely repeat proposals made by Russian President Vladimir Putin before the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Sources cited by the newspaper suggest Moscow may be opening with maximalist demands in order to agree to some concessions later. The document, however, records Russia’s initial position rather than an agreement reached by the parties. Its contents do not mean that the demands have been accepted by the United States, Ukraine or European countries. No agreement on these conditions has been announced.
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