Russia pressures Ukraine for NATO freeze, army cuts in Qatar talks
Russia demands that Ukraine suspend all contacts with NATO and reduce the size of its army. According to Bloomberg, discussions between the parties are taking place in Qatar. Moscow wants Ukraine not to use weapons supplied by NATO countries against Russia.
Bloomberg reports that security issues concerning nuclear facilities in Ukraine and Russia are being discussed in Qatar. The Ukrainian side is also raising the issue of illegally deported children and prisoner exchanges. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on these talks.
Russian demands
Russia insists that Ukraine reduce the size of its army and abandon efforts to join NATO. Moscow also wants Ukraine to cede to Russia the occupied territories, which account for about 8 percent of the country's area. Konstantin Malofeev, a Russian oligarch, claims that the Ukrainian army should be limited to police functions.
Change in Putin's stance
Bloomberg reports that a year ago, Putin was willing to agree to Ukraine's NATO membership. However, the recent successes of Russian troops on the front have led him to impose more demanding conditions. Russia wants Ukraine to adopt a neutral status in its constitution.
