Kremlin Spokesperson Says Ukraine’s Non-NATO Status Is Central to Peace Talks

Russia considers legally binding guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO to be a cornerstone of negotiations to resolve the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Orda.kz reports, citing Forbes Russia.

Speaking to journalists in response to a question about from whom Russia expects such guarantees, Peskov said the issue requires separate and detailed discussion as part of the broader negotiation process, according to Interfax.

The issue of Ukraine’s non-accession to NATO, he said, must be addressed alongside other topics, which together make up the substance of negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously announced readiness to drop demands for NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees.

Reportedly, any potential plan would involve compromises, but Ukraine would require guarantees from the United States and European countries comparable to NATO’s Article 5, which treats an attack on one member as an attack on all.