Russia demands NATO ban on Ukraine amid peace talks, Trump engages Putin

Russia has signaled its intention to push for firm security guarantees in any potential peace deal with Ukraine, including a ban on the country’s NATO membership and its commitment to neutrality.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized this stance in an interview with Russian news outlet Izvestia, stating, “We will insist that solid security guarantees be included in this arrangement.

Among these guarantees should be Ukraine’s neutral status and the commitment of NATO countries not to admit it into the alliance.”

This announcement comes ahead of a scheduled discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding ceasefire negotiations in the ongoing three-year conflict.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump revealed that progress had been made in recent negotiations, saying, “Significant progress was made over the weekend. We hope to find a resolution to this war.”

When asked about potential concessions, Trump responded, “We will discuss land and power plants.” He also mentioned ongoing talks about “dividing certain assets” between Russia and Ukraine.

Reports indicate that the U.S. and Ukraine are preparing to propose a 30-day ceasefire to Russia.

While Putin has signaled willingness to consider a truce, he has also set tough conditions, particularly regarding security in the western Kursk region of Russia.

The area was the site of a Ukrainian military operation last August, during which Ukraine temporarily seized territory.

Putin has since asserted that Russian forces have regained full control of Kursk, claiming, “Ukrainian troops in that area have been cut off.”

He has also raised concerns over monitoring and enforcing a ceasefire along the eastern frontline.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Putin of attempting to “undermine” ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire.

Throughout his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to end the conflict “on day one” of his presidency.

Less than a month after taking office, he reportedly held a 90-minute call with Putin focused on initiating negotiations to end the war swiftly.