Ukraine-Russia backchannel in Qatar: NATO ties in focus
Bloomberg Agency claims that Ukrainian and Russian parties are currently holding secret talks in Qatar. Russia demands, among other things, that Ukraine suspend contacts with NATO and reduce its army size, reports Bloomberg.
Russia is making demands on Ukraine for the suspension of contacts with NATO and a reduction in army size. This information comes from Bloomberg, which cites its own sources. According to reports, secret talks between Ukraine and Russia are taking place in Qatar.
Russia's demands on Ukraine
According to the agency, Moscow's position is that NATO member states can continue supplying weapons to Ukraine under bilateral partnership agreements, but the authorities in Kyiv cannot use these arms against Russia, a person familiar with the Kremlin's preparations for negotiations with Ukraine told Bloomberg.
During the talks in Qatar, security issues regarding nuclear facilities in both countries are being discussed. Additionally, according to sources close to Kyiv, topics concerning children illegally deported by Russia and prisoner exchanges are being addressed.
Kremlin spokesman refused to comment
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, refused to comment on the talks in Qatar. According to agency reports, Russia demands that Ukraine reduce its army size, cease any efforts to join NATO, and return to Russia the territories it has occupied, which constitute about 20% of Ukraine's territory.
Konstantin Malofeev, a Russian oligarch close to Putin, stated that the war could end if Ukraine reduces its army size to a level that allows it only to protect its borders and perform police functions. Malofeev emphasized that Ukrainian troops must not be strong enough to fight Russia.
Bloomberg reports that a year ago, Putin was ready to agree to Ukraine's membership in NATO, withdrawing previous demands for neutrality. However, recent successes of Russian troops on the front line have prompted him to pose more stringent conditions.
Let's recall: already on Monday, January 20th, the inauguration of Donald Trump will take place in Washington. The U.S. President-elect, during his campaign, promised that he would negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine as soon as he is elected.
Recently, Keith Kellogg, who is the special envoy for peace in Ukraine, explained in one of the interviews that the conflict's end is expected to occur within 100 days of Trump's inauguration.
