NATO Membership
What concerns does Ukrainian President Zelensky have about potential US-Russia talks?
President Zelensky is terrified that a deal will be cut between President Putin and President Trump that could result in Ukraine losing part of its territory. This fear is heightened by Russia's demands that NATO withdraw its 2008 commitment to bring Ukraine into the alliance. The elimination of this commitment would remove a crucial deterrent against Russian aggression. While current talks are described as preliminary and exploratory, Zelensky is concerned that ultimately any deal would be made directly between Putin and Trump, with Ukraine potentially having little or no say in negotiations that determine its future.
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WION
05:52 - 06:38
What are Russia's key demands regarding NATO's commitment to Ukraine?
Russia is demanding that NATO formally withdraw its 2008 membership promise to Ukraine made at the Bucharest summit. According to Russian officials, simply refusing to accept Ukraine into NATO presently is insufficient - the alliance must completely disavow the Bucharest promises that guaranteed Ukraine future membership in the North Atlantic bloc. Following talks mediated by Saudi officials, Russian representatives stated that the negotiations had gone 'pretty well.' Russia's position is that without this formal withdrawal, the issue will continue to 'poison the atmosphere on the European continent.'
Watch clip answer (01:03m)
WION
01:20 - 02:23
Who attended the meeting in Riyadh regarding the Ukraine conflict?
The meeting in Riyadh brought together high-level officials from the United States and Russia, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This marked the first diplomatic talks between these nations regarding Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022. The meeting took place in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the kingdom's emerging role as a potential mediator in finding a solution to the Ukraine crisis. Saudi Arabia's involvement demonstrates its growing influence in international diplomacy beyond the Middle East region.
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WION
01:11 - 01:24
Why are Ukrainian and European leaders concerned about the US-Russia talks in Riyadh?
Ukrainian and European leaders are expressing significant concern about the US-Russia talks in Riyadh because they fear that Trump could negotiate a hasty deal with Russia that overlooks their security interests. They worry such an agreement might reward Russia while allowing Putin to continue posing threats to Ukraine and potentially other countries in the future. Despite Russia having managed to endure sanctions, the way these talks have proceeded without Ukrainian or European participation has raised apprehension. Both Ukraine and European officials are particularly troubled by their exclusion from negotiations that directly impact their security, suggesting a potential sidelining of their perspectives in favor of bilateral US-Russia arrangements.
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WION
04:35 - 05:05
What is President Zelenskyy's position on US-Russia talks that exclude Ukraine?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any outcome from talks between the United States and Russia that do not include Kyiv (Kiev). His stance comes in response to discussions held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian representatives were notably absent despite the talks concerning their nation's future. This rejection highlights a critical concern for Ukraine's leadership - being sidelined in diplomatic negotiations directly affecting their sovereignty and security. Zelenskyy's position raises important questions about what security guarantees Ukraine can realistically expect when excluded from conversations determining its fate.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)WION
00:48 - 01:11
What does the message from Washington suggest about Ukraine's territorial ambitions?
After three years of intense fighting with thousands of casualties, the message from Washington appears to undermine Ukraine's hopes and raises doubts about its goal to reclaim all lost territories. This affects not only Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, but also the four regions of Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk that Russia annexed in 2022. The American stance signals a potential shift in support for Ukraine's territorial ambitions, suggesting that full reclamation of all occupied areas might not align with current U.S. diplomatic positioning in talks with Russia. This development represents a significant challenge to Ukraine's stated objectives in the ongoing conflict.
Watch clip answer (00:28m)WION
03:22 - 03:51