Russia’s ‘nuclear blackmail’ a key threat claims expert
Russia’s ‘nuclear blackmail’ a key threat claims expert
Vladimir Putin has told the UK to stop using its nuclear weapons to defend its allies if it wants peace in Ukraine. Officials in Moscow have drafted proposals with a list of requirements for ending the war. The demands include NATO withdrawing troops from Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, removing Finland from NATO, and vowing to not send troops to Ukraine. The paper also demands the West end “the supply of any type of Western weapons and military equipment and products to Ukraine.” Putin would allow Ukraine to join the EU in exchange for these demands being met.
However, it is unlikely the UK will agree to not extend its nuclear umbrella to allies. On thursday, Andy Burnham said: “There was a very strong feeling that Russian demands to put the question of European security architecture or European security arrangements into this negotiation.
“Well, no, that’s not up for negotiation. It’s for Europe to decide its own arrangements, Europe and Europe alone.” Putin’s demands come after a number of threats against the UK and Europe in recent years, including the use of nuclear weapons.
The proposals would have significant implications for European security, particularly for countries that joined Nato after the alliance’s 1997 borders referenced in Moscow’s demands.
These include Poland, Hungary and the Baltic states, which could be left without the same level of protection from Nato forces. The Russian document also calls for an end to Nato’s military expansion and restrictions on the alliance’s ability to deploy troops close to Russia‘s borders.
Putin (Image: Getty)
Volodymyr Zelensky faces demands for Kyiv to abandon its ambition of joining Nato (Image: Getty)
The demands are similar to those made by the Kremlin in December 2021, shortly before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
At the time, Moscow also called for Nato to withdraw its military infrastructure and rule out further expansion. The latest proposals would therefore require major concessions from Ukraine and its Western allies, while allowing Russia to retain the territory it currently occupies.
European leaders have continued to insist that Ukraine must have a say in any agreement affecting its future, and that decisions about Europe’s defence cannot be dictated by Moscow.
Any settlement would also need to address concerns that Russia could launch further military action after a ceasefire.
Russia’s ‘nuclear blackmail’ a key threat claims expert
Russia’s ‘nuclear blackmail’ a key threat claims expert
Vladimir Putin has told the UK to stop using its nuclear weapons to defend its allies if it wants peace in Ukraine. Officials in Moscow have drafted proposals with a list of requirements for ending the war. The demands include NATO withdrawing troops from Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, removing Finland from NATO, and vowing to not send troops to Ukraine. The paper also demands the West end “the supply of any type of Western weapons and military equipment and products to Ukraine.” Putin would allow Ukraine to join the EU in exchange for these demands being met.
However, it is unlikely the UK will agree to not extend its nuclear umbrella to allies. On thursday, Andy Burnham said: “There was a very strong feeling that Russian demands to put the question of European security architecture or European security arrangements into this negotiation.
“Well, no, that’s not up for negotiation. It’s for Europe to decide its own arrangements, Europe and Europe alone.” Putin’s demands come after a number of threats against the UK and Europe in recent years, including the use of nuclear weapons.
The proposals would have significant implications for European security, particularly for countries that joined Nato after the alliance’s 1997 borders referenced in Moscow’s demands.
These include Poland, Hungary and the Baltic states, which could be left without the same level of protection from Nato forces. The Russian document also calls for an end to Nato’s military expansion and restrictions on the alliance’s ability to deploy troops close to Russia‘s borders.
Putin (Image: Getty)
Volodymyr Zelensky faces demands for Kyiv to abandon its ambition of joining Nato (Image: Getty)
The demands are similar to those made by the Kremlin in December 2021, shortly before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
At the time, Moscow also called for Nato to withdraw its military infrastructure and rule out further expansion. The latest proposals would therefore require major concessions from Ukraine and its Western allies, while allowing Russia to retain the territory it currently occupies.
European leaders have continued to insist that Ukraine must have a say in any agreement affecting its future, and that decisions about Europe’s defence cannot be dictated by Moscow.
Any settlement would also need to address concerns that Russia could launch further military action after a ceasefire.