Sybiha comments on Russia's demands for 'new security architecture in Europe'

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha weighed in on Russia's proposals for a new security structure in Europe, sharing his thoughts on X on November 15. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, is reportedly envisioning a redraw of Europe's security order, drawing parallels to the 1945 Yalta Conference. Sybiha emphasized that to propose such sweeping changes, Russia would first need to emerge victorious in a world war.

Sybiha highlighted that Russia has been striving to nearly capture the village of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhya Oblast for four years and eight months, despite losing over 1.6 million troops. During October alone, Russia reportedly suffered 54,400 casualties while Ukraine reclaimed more territory than Russia managed to seize.

In October, Russia reportedly reiterated its 2021 demands during peace talks with Ukraine and the United States, aiming for a return to NATO's 1997 borders, which would entail withdrawing Alliance forces, including from Poland and the Baltic states. According to the New York Times, citing a Russian document, Russia's demands include the removal of Alliance troops from Poland and the Baltic states.

Germany's Bild newspaper reported that Russia is also seeking to end Finland's NATO membership, relinquish Alliance bases in the Baltic states, gain control over Donbas, and force the demilitarization of Odesa and Mykolaiv. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, mentioned that Russia insists on written assurances of no NATO expansion towards the east.