**Russia to Demand Ukraine Cut Ties with NATO**
Russia will ask Ukraine to break its ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and become a neutral state, according to reports. This demand is expected to be made during talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has said that he wants to meet with Putin “very quickly” after his inauguration. He has also promised to end the war in Ukraine quickly and has good ties with Putin. However, this has raised concerns that the new US leadership might cut a deal unfavorable to Ukraine.
**Kremlin‘s Position**
The Kremlin reportedly accepts that individual NATO member states can continue to send weapons to Ukraine as part of bilateral security agreements. However, these weapons should not be used against Russia or to recapture territory.
**Russian Demands**
Moscow is said to retain control over almost 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed in 2014. In exchange, Russia may return some territories to Ukraine.
**Talks and Negotiations**
Ukraine and Russia are currently holding talks only on the exchange of prisoners and the return of deported children. They are also having “limited talks” in Qatar on the rules for protecting nuclear facilities from attacks.
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