By Russia has declared that any prospective peace agreement with Ukraine must include unequivocal assurances that Ukraine will remain neutral and be excluded from NATO membership. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the necessity of “ironclad security guarantees” to this effect.
In parallel, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, aiming to facilitate a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Ukraine has expressed its willingness to accept this ceasefire proposal, but Russia has yet to commit.
A contentious issue in these negotiations is the potential deployment of NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Russia has firmly opposed such deployments, particularly involving troops from NATO countries like Britain and France. Grushko suggested that only unarmed civilian observers could be considered post-agreement.
Conversely, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that the decision to accept peacekeeping forces rests solely with Ukraine, underscoring its sovereignty in these matters.
The international community is closely monitoring these developments, as the outcomes of these negotiations hold significant implications for regional stability and the future geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
