Russian President’s demands include end to NATO enlargement

President Vladimir Putin’s conditions for ending the war in Ukraine include a demand that Western leaders pledge in writing to stop enlarging NATO eastwards and lift a chunk of sanctions on Russia, according to three Russian sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

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The three sources said Putin wanted a “written” pledge by Western powers not to enlarge the US-led NATO alliance eastwards — shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had proposed the next round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. Amid speculations about the Vatican or Geneva being the possible venue, Russia has preferred the venue of earlier talks.