Moscow Seeks 1997 NATO Troop Levels at Upcoming Ukraine Talks

Russia plans to demand that NATO reduce its European military presence to 1997 levels during the next round of peace negotiations, according to a report from The Telegraph. The British newspaper cited informed diplomatic sources who said Moscow intends to use the talks to secure specific concessions on alliance expansion.

Yuri Ushakov, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, has previously advocated for European participation in the talks. Sources indicate that Putin wants Europe at the table specifically to press for a reduction in NATO forces. In practical terms, this demand would involve withdrawing troops from Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland.

Preparations for the upcoming negotiations are currently underway. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the progress with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on October 23. He confirmed that team-level trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia are planned for the first half of November.

US government sources indicated that the next meeting between the American, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations could take place in either Abu Dhabi or Switzerland. No final venue has been confirmed in the reporting.

Ushakov stated that Russia is prepared to resume trilateral negotiations on ending the war after November 4. The next session will follow earlier discussions aimed at establishing a framework for a ceasefire.