www.gandul.ro/international/telegraph-plan-putin-r

Russia aims to leverage upcoming peace talks with the US and Ukraine to weaken NATO's defense, seeking military presence reductions to 1997 levels. Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov emphasized the need for European involvement in negotiations, which is seen as a strategy to gain concessions regarding NATO's expansion. Putin's demands may include limiting NATO's presence in Eastern Europe, potentially affecting countries like Poland and the Baltic states. Previous negotiations have failed to yield a ceasefire, with Russia insisting on territorial concessions from Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about the talks, aiming for limited ceasefires and concrete measures.