Putin does not want territories, but guarantees of NATO's non-expansion: Media outlets name main demands to Ukraine

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Illustrative photo: AP

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has long stated that he wants to meet with US President Donald Trump. He believes that such a meeting is his «best chance» to win the war against Ukraine.

The New York Times reports this, citing analysts and sources close to the Kremlin.

According to the newspaper, territorial gains are not Putin's main goal — he is seeking to conclude a «peace agreement» that would allow him to achieve key geopolitical goals.

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According to the NYT, Putin is keen to maintain contacts with Washington and preserve the possibility of direct dialogue with Trump, including through intermediaries.

The article mentions a meeting on 6 August between Putin and US special envoy Steve Vitkoff in Moscow. The details of the talks remain unknown, but experts do not rule out that the Russian leader could have demonstrated a willingness to make partial concessions regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Analysts suggest that the Kremlin is counting on a personal meeting with Trump to influence his position on the causes of the war and force the US to support Russia's vision of «security guarantees».

According to NYT sources, Putin's key demands include

• providing guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO;
  
  
• stop further expansion of the Alliance;
  
  
• limiting Ukraine's military potential;
  
  
• creating conditions for the formation of a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.

The New York Times' interlocutors emphasise that these strategic demands are more important to Putin than control over specific territories currently held by Russia.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his demands for Ukraine have remained unchanged since the summer of 2024.

As a reminder, Putin has named the United Arab Emirates as one of the suitable places for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.