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Putin Wants to Split Europe and Revive Cold War-Era Spheres of Influence
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russia has proposed a new security arrangement with the United States that would divide Europe into spheres of influence, revive elements of the Cold War-era security system, and restrict NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe, according to The New York Times on November 13.
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The proposal was raised during multilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi and later discussed in Moscow during talks between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
According to The New York Times, citing American diplomats, Moscow suggested returning to a framework resembling US-Soviet relations between 1946 and 1991, including the possible establishment of a new Russian-led version of the Warsaw Pact.
Russian officials argued that Cold War-era agreements and communication channels helped prevent direct confrontation between the superpowers.
Witkoff and Kushner reportedly challenged the proposal, pointing to significant changes in the international security environment. However, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the arrangement as a foundation for an indivisible security architecture.
According to The New York Times, Russia is demanding that NATO return its military infrastructure to its 1997 posture, effectively requiring the withdrawal of allied forces and facilities from 16 of the alliance’s 32 member states, including Poland and the Baltic countries.
Moscow also seeks to end NATO military activities in former Soviet republics in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, while extending its security demands to countries including Finland and Moldova.
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Regarding Ukraine, the Kremlin continues to demand that Kyiv abandon NATO membership aspirations, surrender the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and accept restrictions on its military capabilities.
The proposals would significantly reshape Europe’s post-Cold War security arrangements and restore Russian influence over neighboring countries.
Earlier, on October 29, Putin stated that Russia was prepared for a potential war with Europe while insisting that Moscow did not seek such a conflict. He also warned that further escalation could leave “no winners at all,” according to The Moscow Times.
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-48341a8a4af95b31e18fcc26aed77dd0.jpeg "A bridge on Russia’s R-280 highway near Taganrog sustained extensive damage following a drone attack on November 15, 2026. (Photo: Open source)")
