Russia Proposes NATO Withdrawal to Pre-1997 Lines, Citing Warsaw Pact Model

Russia has proposed that NATO withdraw its troops from positions held before 1997, including Poland and the Baltic states, according to a document circulated by Russian officials and obtained by the New York Times. The proposal was reintroduced during negotiations this week, two months before Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The document, dated November 10, outlines Moscow's initial negotiating position and frames European security as central to Ukraine talks. Russian officials cited the Cold War and Warsaw Pact as a model, arguing that separate US and Soviet spheres of influence reduced conflict risk. The proposal shows economic incentives offered by Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have not yielded concessions from Moscow. However, sources indicate Putin may still show flexibility, while American officials have urged Russians to focus on the future.