Russia proposes removing NATO bases from the Baltic states

During recent talks in Abu Dhabi, Russian representatives reportedly presented European diplomats with ideas for a “new European security order”, including Finland’s withdrawal from NATO and the removal of alliance military bases from the Baltic states, the German newspaper “Bild” reported on Friday, citing sources.”Moscow proposes retaining the occupied Ukrainian territories and gaining control of the entire Donbas region, including the parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions currently controlled by Kyiv. In addition, Russia’s plan envisages the removal of NATO military bases from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Finland’s withdrawal from the alliance,” the newspaper reported.Russia’s conditions also include Ukrainian neutrality and a commitment not to join NATO, although Ukraine’s membership of the European Union (EU) would not be opposed.The aggressor state’s demands also envisage the demilitarisation of the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv and the conclusion of agreements guaranteeing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea.Russia further proposes transforming Moldova into a federal state, granting Transnistria and Gagauzia the right to hold referendums on independence if Moldova joins the EU.In exchange, Russia is offering to withdraw nuclear weapons from Belarus, refrain from deploying intermediate-range missiles in the country and withdraw its troops from Transnistria.The newspaper’s report indicates that these are unofficial proposals presented to European representatives on the sidelines of the negotiations.The meeting in Abu Dhabi involved trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine, with European representatives not participating directly in the negotiations.”Bild” emphasised that this is only one of several proposals being discussed through unofficial diplomatic channels.Several groups of intermediaries are operating in parallel, including those with military connections.These groups are competing with one another, and it remains unknown whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed this particular plan.