U.S. officials are asking Moscow whether it would accept security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace deal to end the war, a shocking demand for the country that launched the unprovoked invasion.
The United States had had already launched the idea of NATO-style security guarantees, which require alliance members to come to the defense of others, known as Article 5. But U.S. officials said they would formally ask Russia to consider the proposal, according to two senior administration officials — the first time they have done so.
The remarkable investigation will likely take place on Tuesday, at the start of two days of talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with the United States, Russia and Ukraine.
“We have asked the Russians to be able to give Ukraine an Article 4 security guarantee and an Article 5-like security guarantee, and NATO would provide the same guarantee,” said a senior official who, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.
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