Bild: Russia demands Finland leaves NATO and Moldova changes status

Key Kremlin demands regarding European security

German publication Bild has published details of a secret peace plan that, according to its data, Russia is proposing. The key points of this document include a demand for Finland to leave the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as the transformation of Moldova into a federal republic. The latter is to provide for the "independence of Transnistria and Gagauzia". The editorial team emphasises that this is only part of the list of conditions set by Vladimir Putin.

Details of the negotiation process

The positions mentioned were formulated by Russian representatives during unofficial consultations dedicated to ceasing hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Among other requirements featured in the document are the following:

• NATO must refrain from deploying military bases on the territory of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania;
• The Russian Federation retains control over occupied Ukrainian lands;
• Russia gains full control over Donbas, which includes parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions currently under Kyiv's control;
• Ukraine must acquire non-aligned status and renounce joining NATO, while membership in the European Union is not prohibited;
• The ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa must be "demilitarised";
• Conditions for freedom of navigation in the Black and Baltic Seas are to be agreed in advance;
• If Moldova becomes an EU member, Transnistria and Gagauzia will have the right to hold referendums on gaining independence.

Proposals from the Russian side

As reciprocal steps, the Russian side proposes to withdraw nuclear weapons from the territory of Belarus and renounce the deployment of intermediate-range missiles there. It is also noted that Vladimir Putin is allegedly ready to withdraw military units from Transnistria.