Russia to Demand Ukraine's NATO Renunciation and Military Neutrality in Potential Peace Talks, Bloomberg Reports

Russia's demands in potential negotiations to resolve its war against Ukraine include Ukraine's formal renunciation of NATO membership and assurances that it will not seek to join the alliance in the future. According to sources cited in Bloomberg reports, this issue could become a central point in potential negotiations involving US President-elect Donald Trump.

Moscow is also said to favor Ukraine adopting a stance of neutrality and limiting the size of its military. While the Kremlin reportedly does not object to NATO member states providing arms to Ukraine, it emphasizes that such weapons should not be used "against Russia or to reclaim territory."

The report also suggests that Russia would aim to retain control over nearly 20% of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea, though it might be open to negotiated adjustments regarding certain areas.

Previously, advisors to President-elect Donald Trump acknowledged that the war in Ukraine could take months or even longer to resolve. This stands in contrast to his promise to secure a peace deal on his first day in the White House.

On January 15, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine remains steadfast in its position of not engaging in direct negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The prohibition, introduced by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, continues to be in effect.