There was certainly no discussion of that whatsoever, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov via RBC and Helsinki Times.
Russia has revived far-reaching security demands regarding NATO’s eastern flank during closed-door negotiations in Abu Dhabi with American envoys aiming to end the war in Ukraine.
Abu Dhabi Negotiations Shape European Security
U.S.-brokered trilateral negotiations concluded on November 11, 2026. This was the first such gathering since February 2026.
The diplomatic setting placed the future architecture of European security at the center of the peace process.
German newspaper Bild reported that Russian negotiators presented informal proposals seeking to establish a new European security order.
NATO nations withdrawing from *their own* borders is a preposterous demand by Russia. Putin has proved once again that he’s not serious about a negotiated peace. Further talks are a farce at this point. Putin will only agree to stop the war when he knows he can’t win. We need to…
Moscow’s stance echoes demands issued in December 2021 before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Kremlin insisted that NATO pull its troops back to positions held in 1997.
Two days of talks focused primarily on designing a fresh European security framework, according to Kremlin aide and head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky.
Territorial Demands Target Ukraine
Russia would retain control of all Ukrainian territory it occupies under the proposals described in reporting from Abu Dhabi.
Moscow would also acquire the entire Donbas region, including sections remaining under Ukrainian control.
Ukraine would be required to remain permanently nonaligned and abandon its bid to join NATO.
Potential membership in the European Union would not be ruled out.
NEW: The United States and Ukraine continue to view the involvement of European officials in future peace negotiations with Russia as necessary. Moscow, however, is willing to let European officials participate in talks only about a new European security architecture – not about… pic.twitter.com/TjZqDdYcfl
Moscow demanded the demilitarization of Odesa and Mykolaiv to prevent their use as naval bases.
Russia also wanted agreements to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black and Baltic seas.
Baltic Bases Face Demands
The reported proposals call for the removal of all NATO military bases from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023. Finland would be required to leave the alliance and return to its pre-membership status.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Russia had demanded Finland’s withdrawal from NATO.
“I am not aware of anything like that. No, no such proposals have been submitted. It is absolutely certain that no such issue was raised,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax.
There was certainly no discussion of that whatsoever.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, via RBC and Helsinki Times
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said the reported demand was unacceptable. He said the country’s membership was not open to negotiation.
NEW: Putin and members of the Russian delegation outlined Russia’s steadfast commitment to its original territorial demands of Ukraine and ultimatums to dismantle NATO and the post-Cold War European security architecture following the latest trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on… pic.twitter.com/yr7dMAx7Eo
Such matters are not open to negotiation under any circumstances. Even suggesting something like that is absolutely outrageous.
Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Defence Minister, via Helsinki Times
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen rejected any suggestion that Moscow should influence Finland’s security decisions. She said it is a decision for Finland and the alliance alone to make.
Russia also focused on Moldova. The reported plan aims to transform the country into a federal republic comprising the rest of Moldova, autonomous Gagauzia, and breakaway Transnistria.
Independence referendums would be allowed if Moldova joins the EU.
Proposed Offsets and Bilateral Pacts
Russia reportedly offered to withdraw its nuclear weapons from Belarus in exchange for these concessions.
Moscow offered to refrain from deploying intermediate-range missiles there and pull its troops out of Transnistria.
Diplomatic discussions touched upon the possibility of concluding bilateral non-aggression agreements between Russia and individual NATO member states. These pacts would form part of the proposed European security framework.
Agreements of this kind could be reached… with individual NATO member states.
Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, via Modern Diplomacy and Latin Times
Ukraine and Russia have consented to bring European delegates into the upcoming peace talks.
My take on this: Russia is proposing these non-aggression pacts for several reasons: to divide NATO, weaken collective defence and prepare a justification for future aggression. If NATO rejects them, Putin will use that refusal as a pretext to attack the Baltic states. He will…
U.S. special envoy Jared Kushner communicated that this would permit security matters to be addressed alongside territorial disputes.
We have made meaningful progress in understanding both sides’ concerns, identifying possible solutions, and establishing a path forward. Both sides have now agreed to expand the next round of negotiations to include our European partners.
Jared Kushner, U.S. special envoy, via Türkiye Today
Earlier coverage: Russia Revives Demands for NATO to Pull Back to 1997 Positions
