In a dramatic turn in the Ukraine conflict, Moscow and Kyiv are clashing over key security and territorial issues. Moscow insists on concrete security guarantees from both the United States and NATO, demanding that Ukraine maintain a neutral status and reject any move toward NATO membership in the final peace deal.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the urgency of these demands in a recent interview. He noted that since 2019, the number of NATO military contingents on the alliance's eastern flank has doubled, a development that Moscow views as a significant security threat. The ongoing rearmament of European countries has only deepened these concerns.
Grushko also dismissed the idea of deploying NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine. Instead, he proposed a monitoring mechanism using unarmed observers or a civilian group to oversee any potential peace agreement. He warned that involving NATO forces would effectively turn them into direct participants in the conflict, arguing that "NATO and peacekeeping are entirely incompatible."
In a related twist, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon. During the conversation, Trump intends to discuss issues ranging from territorial adjustments to the protection of key power plants, hinting at ongoing efforts to establish a short-term ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken a firm stand by rejecting any territorial concessions as a condition for a ceasefire. At a high-level discussion with U.S. delegations, Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine will not recognize occupied territories as belonging to Russia under any circumstances. He stressed that such complex territorial issues should be revisited only after a formal peace agreement is reached.
The unfolding standoff highlights a deeply complex interplay of security concerns, diplomatic negotiations, and territorial integrity. As Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington each pursue their strategic interests, the quest for lasting peace in Ukraine remains a challenging and delicate process that demands thoughtful dialogue and careful compromise.
Reference(s):
Moscow seeks security guarantees, Kyiv rejects territorial concessions
cgtn.com
