**NATO Officials Shoot Down Russia’s Demand to Halt Expansion**
Russia’s demand that NATO halt its eastward expansion has been met with a firm rejection by the alliance’s officials. According to several undisclosed sources, there are no active discussions on this issue within NATO. The news comes after reports emerged earlier this month that Russian President Vladimir Putin was seeking a written commitment from Western leaders to cease NATO’s expansion as part of his conditions for ending the war in Ukraine.
**No Talks Underway**
NATO officials spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasizing that the idea of non-enlargement has not been raised at any recent or earlier alliance meetings. One official described it as “perhaps just an academic discussion,” highlighting that any such decision would require full consensus among NATO members. This stance contradicts Russian propaganda, which has long claimed that Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO was a major trigger for its invasion.
**Russia’s Demands Unrealistic**
The written pledge Moscow demands is considered unrealistic by NATO sources. Diplomats point out that international agreements, such as the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 and the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, enshrine every nation’s right to freely choose its alliances. The NATO-Russia Founding Act of 1997 also affirms respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
**U.S. Envoy: Ukraine’s Membership Not on the Table**
U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg has stated that NATO’s eastward expansion is a “fair” concern for Putin, but emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in the alliance is not currently being considered. This echoes statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly blamed Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO as one of the root causes of Russia’s invasion.
**Ukraine Firmly Opposes Any Limitations on Joining International Organizations**
In March, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha firmly opposed any limitations on Ukraine’s right to join international organizations, specifically NATO and the European Union, as a condition for reaching a potential peace agreement. This stance was reiterated after Ukraine applied for NATO membership in September 2022.
**Conclusion**
NATO officials have rejected Russia’s demand to halt its eastward expansion, citing the need for full consensus among alliance members. The idea of non-enlargement is considered unrealistic by NATO sources, who point out that international agreements enshrine every nation’s right to freely choose its alliances. As Ukraine continues to navigate the complex landscape of international relations and conflict resolution, it remains committed to joining NATO and the European Union.
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