Scepticism Regarding Moscow’s Demands

Amid pale hopes on possible steps forward in ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations, NATO doubts the good faith of Moscow at the peace talks, and urges Kyiv to continue to resist.

As a condition for withdrawal, Moscow is asking Kyiv to declare neutrality and accept limits on its armed forces. After announcing on 15 March that Ukraine will renounce joining NATO, Ukrainian President Zelensky told the US Congress on 16 March that a neutral model for Ukraine is possible – but with solid security guarantees.

Despite the apparent partial convergence between the two governments, however, following NATO’s ministerial on 16 March, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Alliance didn’t see “any sign” of a genuine Russian approach to peace talks, and urged everybody not to speculate on them.

To reach a positive outcome in the talks, he suggested that Ukraine’s ability to resist invasion remains essential. “What Ukraine can achieve on the negotiating table is very closely [linked] to the situation on the battleground“.

For this very reason, even though Ukraine has shown itself “capable of fighting back,” the Alliance decided to continue providing support “to resist” the invasion. Indeed, NATO defence ministers agreed to continue providing air defence systems, anti-tank weapons, and other types of support.

Meanwhile, ministers agreed further details on stepping up NATO and US presence in Europe. As part of this effort, more forces will be deployed, at higher readiness, in the Eastern part of the Alliance, and more “Allied power” will be fielded, along with a strengthened air and missile defence. At sea, Stoltenberg said, NATO will deploy “carrier strike groups, submarines and significant numbers of combat ships on a persistent basis“.

Caterina Tani reporting from NATO for MON