Russian diplomats propose non-aggression pacts with NATO states as part of negotiations on a new European security framework

Russia could propose concluding bilateral non-aggression pacts with NATO member states as part of a new security architecture for Europe. The idea was presented on Wednesday in Moscow, while peace negotiations on the war in Ukraine resumed in Abu Dhabi, for the first time since February.

Alexei Drobinin, a senior diplomat in the Russian Foreign Ministry, indicated three possible forms of cooperation: a collective defensive alliance or bilateral mutual assistance agreements, modeled on Russia’s relations with Belarus and North Korea; political agreements under which states would not support the other party’s adversaries in the event of aggression, following the model of the pact with Iran; and bilateral non-aggression pacts.

According to Drobinin, such agreements could also be signed with individual NATO member states, which would receive additional security guarantees from Russia. Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator for Ukraine, said that the new European security framework was the central topic of the talks in Abu Dhabi, without providing details.

The proposals come as some European states reject discussions on continental security before concrete progress in Ukraine, including a ceasefire. U.S. officials, however, have said they are open to these negotiations.