Finland responds to alleged Russian demands regarding NATO

 

TT

 

Published 13.45

 

Rysslands delegation i Abu Dhabi, ledd av Vladimir Putins nära rådgivare Vladimir Medinskij (till vänster i bild). Bilden togs i tisdags. Foto: Altaf Qadri/poolfoto via AP/TT

Finland responds to alleged Russian demands regarding NATO

TT

Published 13:45

Russia’s delegation in Abu Dhabi, led by Vladimir Putin’s close advisor Vladimir Medinsky (pictured on the left). The photo was taken on Tuesday. Photo: Altaf Qadri/pool photo via AP/TT

During negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi, Russia reportedly presented ambitious demands—including a requirement that Finland leave NATO, according to the German newspaper *Bild*.

According to *Bild*’s sources, Russia put forward a series of far-reaching demands during the trilateral talks held this week with Ukraine and the United States.

The Russian delegation reportedly demanded that all occupied territory be recognized as Russian, that the remainder of the Donbas also be recognized as Russian, that Ukrainian port cities be demilitarized, and that Ukraine be prohibited from entering into military alliances.

Furthermore, they reportedly demanded that NATO close all military bases in the Baltic states—and that Finland withdraw from the alliance.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denies that Russia demanded Finland’s departure from NATO. The Finnish government also states that it has received no indication that this was raised during the trilateral talks.

“Such matters are not up for negotiation at all. Russia is aware of this,” says Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, according to Yle.

However, Häkkänen adds that Russia has made such demands in the past. He notes that Russian representatives have adopted a tougher tone, likely in an attempt to push the boundaries of the negotiations and secure demands that extend beyond the scope of Ukraine.