Investigative journalist Hristo Grozev said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware that he will receive an ultimatum after Donald Trump returns to the White House, and is therefore trying to intimidate him in order to avoid including a condition for Ukraine's accession to NATO. Grozev commented on this in an interview with the Ukrainian media "Channel 24", News.bg reported.
According to the journalist, despite Moscow's demonstrative firmness, this is unlikely to be its final position. Grozev points out that Putin probably aims to raise the stakes in the negotiations by expressing categorical disagreement with Ukraine's entry into NATO.
Before the elections, Donald Trump repeatedly declared his readiness to end the war in Ukraine. However, after his victory, he softened his position. According to Grozev, Trump has probably already realized that reaching an agreement with Putin will not be easy, as the Russian leader demonstratively rejects all proposals.
According to preliminary information, Trump is expected to propose a "freezing the war", which would include postponing Ukraine's accession to NATO. However, Putin categorically states that he will not allow Ukraine to become a member of the Alliance either in 5 or in 20 years.
According to Grozev's sources, the Kremlin may be willing to accept Ukraine's entry into NATO, but under strict conditions. These include the non-deployment of American troops not only in Ukraine, but also on the territory of Eastern Europe, as well as the partial lifting of anti-Russian sanctions.
"This condition may be acceptable to Trump, but it remains unclear whether it will be approved by countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic," Grozev commented. According to him, Putin's decision was influenced by pressure from Russian oligarchs, who hope for an easing of the sanctions regime in the long term.