Putin Seeks NATO Non-Expansion Guarantees Amid Ukraine War Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a peace agreement with the United States through a personal meeting with President Donald Trump, prioritizing geopolitical goals such as guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO and the halting of NATO's expansion over territorial control in Ukraine. Putin's willingness to negotiate partial concessions was reportedly discussed in a recent meeting with US envoy Steve Vitkoff, aiming to influence Trump's stance and secure support for Russia's security demands. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Russia has softened its territorial demands, now seeking recognition only over Crimea and certain occupied areas, with the US engaging European allies about potential negotiations. Meanwhile, Czech President Petr Pavel stated that Ukraine is unlikely to reclaim all Russian-occupied territories soon without significant loss of life and suggested that some temporary occupation might be accepted without legal recognition, while economic incentives and EU integration could encourage residents to move to government-controlled areas. Pavel also proposed that economic cooperation between the EU and Russia may resume after a ceasefire, emphasizing that occupied territories will never be legally recognized as Russian. These developments underscore ongoing complex diplomatic efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine amid differing national perspectives and humanitarian concerns.