Key facts
- Russia wants a separate agreement with NATO or the U.S. to reshape Europe's security infrastructure, Zelensky said.
- Zelensky believes Russia is seeking security guarantees amid negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
- He suggested that discussions on security guarantees should occur only after the war ends.
- Zelensky recalled Russia's past demand for NATO to roll back military presence to pre-1997 levels.
- He believes Russia may again demand NATO withdraw infrastructure from member states.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Oct. 27 that Russia is seeking a separate agreement with NATO or the United States aimed at reshaping Europe's security infrastructure. He believes these demands are being presented as security guarantees for Russia amidst ongoing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Zelensky emphasized that any such discussions should only occur after the conflict concludes. He recalled that Moscow had previously demanded a rollback of NATO's military blueprint in Europe to pre-1997 levels and suggested Russia might again seek the withdrawal of alliance infrastructure from some member states. Zelensky also noted signals from the U.S. regarding a potential reduction of its military presence on the continent.