Bloomberg reveals possible demands Putin may make in talks with Trump
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin may soon have discussions with newly elected US President Donald Trump, during which he will demand that Ukraine never join NATO, Bloomberg reports.
One source familiar with Moscow's preparations for potential negotiations between Putin and Trump stated that the Kremlin's position is that while individual NATO members may continue to send weapons to Ukraine under bilateral security agreements, such weapons should never be used against Russia or for the return of occupied territories.
The agency noted that these hard demands are unlikely to be well-received by Ukrainian leaders as the war approaches its third year.
Putin's position also contradicts Trump's stated desire to end the conflict as quickly as possible and may be aimed at granting Russia more flexibility in negotiations.
Bloomberg further noted that Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine have been slow and "have come at a heavy cost."
An anonymous source stated that Russian conditions also include maintaining at least de facto control over nearly 20% of Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula. However, Moscow is reportedly open to some territorial exchanges.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously stated that the Biden administration is preparing the strongest possible position on Ukraine for Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump's future National Security Advisor Mike Waltz believes the Russian-Ukrainian war will end diplomatically but that a ceasefire must be achieved first.
He also considers the withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied Ukrainian territories unrealistic.
"I just don't think it's realistic to say that we're going to expel every Russian off every inch of Ukrainian soil, even from Crimea. President Trump has acknowledged this reality," Waltz emphasized.
Yesterday, January 14, Trump made a statement about the meeting with Putin.
