**US Offers to Freeze NATO Expansion in Bid to End Ukraine War**
The United States has offered to discuss Russia’s demand to stop NATO’s expansion eastward as part of a peace deal with Moscow. This move comes as the US, UK, France, and Germany prepare to send security advisers to Istanbul for ceasefire talks on June 2.
According to Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia appointed by former President Donald Trump, the US is willing to consider Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion in a comprehensive peace agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. “That’s one of the issues that Russia will bring up,” Kellogg said. “They’re not just talking Ukraine – they’re talking Georgia, Moldova, and obviously, Ukraine.”
Kellogg confirmed that Trump is willing to offer such a guarantee to Russian President Vladimir Putin if it becomes a condition for ceasefire. This suggests that the US is willing to make concessions in order to secure a peace deal with Russia.
However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has made it clear that Ukraine’s future membership in the alliance remains irreversible. “We will not compromise on Ukraine’s right to join NATO,” Rutte said. Czech President Petr Pavel also echoed this sentiment, stating that Ukraine is unlikely to be invited into NATO in the near future due to Trump’s position.
Meanwhile, security advisers from the US, UK, France, and Germany will participate in ceasefire negotiations in Istanbul on June 2. These officials had previously helped draft a 22-point Ukrainian memorandum during meetings in London and Paris. The main goal of these talks is to reach agreement on a full ceasefire.
Moscow has yet to send its official response to the US proposal. Kellogg noted that neither the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, nor Ukrainian Defense Minister and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov have received the Russian version of the memorandum.
**The Significance of This Move**
This move by the US is significant because it suggests a willingness to compromise on key issues in order to secure a peace deal with Russia. However, it also raises questions about the future of Ukraine’s security and its membership in NATO.
As noted by Mark Rutte, NATO’s position on Ukraine’s membership remains unchanged. This implies that any peace agreement reached between the US and Russia will not include provisions for Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
In addition, this move may be seen as a concession to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been pushing for guarantees against NATO expansion in exchange for a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, it is unclear whether this will ultimately lead to a lasting peace agreement or simply delay the conflict.
**A Step Towards Peace?**
While this move by the US may seem like a step towards peace, it also raises concerns about the long-term implications for Ukraine’s security and its membership in NATO. The involvement of security advisers from the US, UK, France, and Germany in ceasefire negotiations is a positive development, but the lack of clarity on key issues remains a major challenge.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether this move by the US will lead to a lasting peace agreement or simply delay the conflict.
