Russia demands Ukraine cut ties with NATO in Qatar talks
Russia is demanding that Ukraine halt all contact with NATO and reduce the size of its military. According to Bloomberg, discussions between the parties are occurring in Qatar. Moscow desires that Ukraine refrain from using weapons supplied by NATO countries against Russia.
According to Bloomberg, security issues concerning nuclear facilities in both Ukraine and Russia are being discussed in Qatar. The Ukrainian side is also highlighting the issue of illegally deported children and prisoner exchanges. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on these talks.
Russian demands
Russia is insistent that Ukraine reduce the size of its military and abandon any efforts to join NATO. Moscow also wants Ukraine to cede the occupied territories to Russia, which make up about 8 per cent of the country's area. Konstantin Malofeev, a Russian oligarch, asserts that the Ukrainian military should be restricted to police functions.
Change in Putin's stance
Bloomberg reports that, a year ago, Putin was willing to accept Ukraine's NATO membership. However, recent successes by Russian troops on the front lines have led him to impose stricter conditions. Russia wants Ukraine to adopt a neutral status in its constitution.
