Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly tied the resolution of the war in Ukraine to a halt in NATO’s eastward expansion, according to a Reuters report citing three Russian sources.
Putin, who has long framed NATO’s growth as a direct threat to Russia’s national security, now demands a written assurance that the alliance will cease its expansion as a core condition for peace. The Russian president has consistently argued that Ukraine should not join the military bloc—an issue he claims is central to the ongoing conflict.
A draft peace “memorandum” outlining Russia’s terms for ending the war has been finalized and will be presented to Ukrainian negotiators during direct talks scheduled in Istanbul on June 2, Russian officials confirmed on Wednesday.
“Our delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is prepared to present the memorandum and provide explanations to the Ukrainian side,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
This diplomatic development follows escalating hostilities between the two nations. In recent days, Ukraine launched one of its largest drone strikes targeting Russian territory, while Russia has continued to pound Ukrainian infrastructure with aerial assaults.
Putin’s stance echoes sentiments shared by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has controversially blamed NATO, President Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for provoking the war—claims widely rejected by Western allies.
As the two sides prepare for renewed negotiations in Istanbul, uncertainty remains over whether Ukraine will consider any agreement that compromises its NATO aspirations or territorial integrity.
