Russia Rejects NATO Troops for Ukraine After US Talks

Russia has demanded that NATO revoke its 2008 commitment to Ukraine's potential membership, insisting that mere denial of membership is insufficient. Following discussions in Saudi Arabia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that NATO's expansion poses a direct threat to Russian sovereignty and deemed the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine as unacceptable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the exclusion of Ukraine from ongoing peace talks, asserting that any resolution must involve Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister ruled out the European Union's involvement in negotiations unless Europe ceases military support for Ukraine. US officials expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a serious peace process, though significant differences remain between the two sides. European leaders are also grappling with how to address the evolving dynamics between the US and Russia regarding the conflict.