Neutrality at Stake: Russia's Stance on Ukraine-NATO Ties

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that a just peace in Ukraine is unattainable if Ukraine joins NATO, as proposed by Western discussions. Russian President Putin demands that Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and cede territory for peace talks to commence.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that a fair peace in Ukraine would be impossible if Kyiv chose to join any military bloc like the NATO alliance led by the United States.

President Vladimir Putin insists that peace negotiations can only start if Ukraine relinquishes its territorial claims to areas Russia desires and withdraws its intent to join NATO.

Zakharova criticized ongoing Western dialogues suggesting Ukraine's NATO membership in exchange for accepting Russian territorial claims, stressing that Ukraine's neutrality is essential. Moscow views the military operation in Ukraine as a countermeasure to NATO's expansion eastward.

(With inputs from agencies.)