Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister: Ukraine's NATO Ban Key to Conflict Resolution

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Grushko told Russia-24 that preventing Ukraine's NATO membership is crucial for resolving the conflict, Orda reports, citing Interfax.

Russia will seek "ironclad international legal guarantees" excluding Ukraine from NATO and wants this position adopted as NATO's official policy.

This is a key element of any possible agreement on the Ukraine conflict, addressing its root causes,  Grushko stated.

The statement follows a diplomatic back-and-forth between the Kremlin and the White House over potential talks on ending the war against Ukraine.

There is also little reason to believe the Trump administration will push for a Ukraine NATO bid, especially considering their previous 20-year freeze proposal.