Russian negotiators have revived core demands from 2021, insisting in closed-door talks that NATO pull its forces back to the positions the alliance held in 1997 before expanding toward Russia’s borders.
Proposals Emerge from Abu Dhabi Negotiations
The sweeping proposals emerged during U.S.-mediated trilateral negotiations held in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, 2026. The discussions marked the first such gathering of Russian, Ukrainian, and American delegations since February 2026, with the architecture of European security dominating the agenda.
According to a paper circulated by Russian officials and obtained by major news organizations, Moscow wants discussions to address the relationships between Russia, NATO, and individual European states rather than focusing exclusively on a ceasefire and territorial questions in Ukraine.
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
Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide who has led Russia’s negotiating team since the Istanbul talks, said that the creation of a new European security framework served as the central theme of two days of discussions.
The talks also yielded an agreement to carry out a large-scale prisoner exchange. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed preparations for what is described as a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia, potentially involving thousands of people or counts of 1,000 for 1,000.
Territorial Demands and Strategic Restrictions in Ukraine
Beyond broader alliance limits, the proposals detailed by the German newspaper Bild call for Russia to retain all Ukrainian territory it currently occupies while acquiring the entire Donbas region, including sections of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions still controlled by Kyiv.
Ukraine would be required to adopt permanent non-aligned status and abandon its bid to join NATO, although European Union membership would not be ruled out. The plans also demand the demilitarization of the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv to bar them from serving as naval bases, alongside agreements guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea.
💬 Russia's DFM Sergey #Ryabkov on the talks in Abu Dhabi: Bringing the Europeans into the talks could undo progress & derail promising efforts. ❗️ I hope those who seek to derail the talks realise the situation on the ground is turning against Kiev.https://t.co/EIcr27B8Y4 pic.twitter.com/Thlwspc4Og
Furthermore, the reported plan includes proposals to transform Moldova into a federation incorporating Gagauzia and Transnistria, with Moscow offering to withdraw its military forces and nuclear weapons from Belarusian and Transnistrian territory as part of the broader diplomatic package.
Controversy Over Finland and Baltic Military Bases
The reported proposals extend deep into Northern Europe and the Baltic states, demanding that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania abandon hosting NATO military bases on their territory. Moscow also reportedly called for Finland to leave NATO and return to its neutral status, following its accession to the alliance on April 4, 2023.
The reported demand regarding Finland triggered immediate denials and sharp pushback. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that no such demand had been made and that the subject had not been discussed, asserting that the Russian Federation demands NATO’s commitment not to proceed with further enlargement be enshrined in writing instead.
Focussing on Russia's demands on Europe’s security architecture risks shifting attention away from a ceasefire and walking into Moscow’s trap. While Russia keeps to its maximum demands, we should stick to our own. We have prepared these with EU Foreign Ministers. Europeans… pic.twitter.com/ShVzCFSnM6
In Helsinki, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen condemned the reported proposal. “It’s absolutely outrageous to even suggest such,” Häkkänen told reporters, adding that European NATO countries should not set limits on their own operations to serve Russian interests.
Russia Offers Security Guarantees to Individual NATO Members
Vladimir Medinsky stated during the talks that “agreements of this kind could be reached, among other things, with individual NATO member states, which would then receive, for instance, additional individual security guarantees from the Russian Federation.”
Officials and analysts expressed deep concern over the Kremlin’s determination to advance demands that could expose Central and Eastern Europe to increased pressure.
Kushner Seeks Comprehensive Settlement for Ukraine
Kushner emphasized that no final agreement can be reached until a comprehensive settlement addresses Ukraine’s security concerns.
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
“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,” Kushner wrote on X.
Earlier coverage: Russia Seeks New European Security Architecture in Abu Dhabi Talks
