During informal talks on ending the war in Ukraine, Russia put forward far-reaching demands, including Finland’s withdrawal from NATO, a ban on NATO military bases in the Baltic states, and a change to Moldova’s political system. Moscow is also insisting on the transfer of the entire Donbas region to it, neutral status for Ukraine, and the demilitarisation of the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv. This was reported on 13 November by the German newspaper Bild, which had obtained information about one of Russia’s plans to create a new European security system.
- Russia is demanding that Finland withdraw from NATO and that the Alliance’s presence in the Baltic states be curtailed.
- Moscow wants to take control of the whole of Donbas and demilitarise Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
- Moldova is being offered federalisation, with the possibility of Transnistria and Gagauzia seceding.
- Instead, the Russian Federation is proposing to withdraw nuclear weapons from Belarus and troops from Transnistria.
Moscow is demanding that Finland withdraw from NATO and that restrictions be imposed on the Baltic states
According to Bild, Russian representatives have put forward proposals to European participants in the informal consultations in Abu Dhabi regarding a new security architecture for Europe. These proposals go far beyond a settlement of the war in Ukraine.
One of the key demands is Finland’s withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The country joined NATO on 4 April 2023 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, abandoning its long-standing policy of military non-alignment.
Moscow is also proposing a ban on the establishment of NATO military bases in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These countries joined the Alliance in 2004.
The Russian side is attempting to incorporate these demands into a broader negotiation process, within the framework of which the following are being discussed security guarantees for Ukraine and the future European security system.
Russia wants to take control of the whole of Donbas and demilitarise the ports of Odessa and Mykolaiv
With regard to Ukraine, the Russian proposals envisage Moscow retaining control over all the occupied territories and the transfer to it of the remaining parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions currently held by Ukrainian forces.
Under this plan, Ukraine is to be granted permanent non-aligned status and must renounce its bid to join NATO. At the same time, the possibility of its membership of the European Union is not formally ruled out.
A separate clause deals with the demilitarisation of the ports of Odessa and Mykolaiv. Moscow wants to ban the use of these facilities as naval bases.
Furthermore, the Russian side is proposing to conclude agreements that will guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black and Baltic Seas.
The Kremlin is proposing the federalisation of Moldova, with the regions having the right to secede
Another part of the Russian plan concerns Moldova’s political system. Moscow is reportedly proposing to transform the country into a federal republic comprising the main territory of Moldova, the unrecognised region of Transnistria and the autonomous region of Gagauzia.
Should Moldova join the European Union Transnistria and Gagauzia, according to the Russian side’s plan, are to be granted the right to hold referendums on independence.
This scenario envisages a change to Moldova’s current political system and the creation of a mechanism for the possible secession of certain regions. Similar proposals from the Russian side were reported by Moldovan public service broadcaster on 12 November, citing sources from the independent Russian publication *Echo*.
What is Russia offering in return, and has Putin approved this plan?
In exchange for its demands being met, Moscow is reportedly prepared to withdraw its nuclear weapons from Belarus and refrain from deploying medium-range missiles there, in particular «Iskanders» and «Oreshniks».
The Russian side is also considering withdrawing its troops from Transnistria, where they remain despite Russia’s previous international commitments to withdraw them.
Bild emphasises that this is just one of the options being discussed by informal negotiating groups. Several channels of mediation are operating simultaneously within the diplomatic process, and whether he has approved Vladimir Putin It is not yet known exactly what this list of requirements is.
There has been no official confirmation that Ukraine, the US or European countries have agreed to the proposed terms.
