There are ways to understand, but also to conquer. Vladimir Putin is still sitting at the long negotiating table – Observer

As former Ambassador Brandenburg sees the possibility of the West capitulating to the issue of Ukraine’s membership in NATO, it is “extremely complex”. “No one on the Western side wants to give up principles like the freedom to choose a country to join the alliance.”, Says. But he remembers, however, that “NATO is not obligated to accept new members.”

On the side of the Kremlin, there are all kinds of concessions that could be useful. At the beginning of February a Article by the Russian Council on International Affairs – a think tank Its headquarters in Moscow was set up by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – listing possible solutions to this impasse such as a 20-year moratorium on NATO expansion or a requirement that troops and military infrastructure not be sent to the territory of the new country’s personnel.

However, experts consulted by the Observer are deeply hesitant that NATO might dare open this Pandora’s box. Not least, Erlanger recalls, that there is no guarantee that Putin will want to stop here: “I think it is now necessary to continue talking, of course, also to understand whether this is what Putin wants or whether what he really wants is the re-assimilation of Ukraine in the Slavic world. Because if so, NATO will not be enough. Just remember that the whole situation in Ukraine started because of a treaty with the European Union, not with NATO. ”

Visit Emmanuel Macron The Kremlin last week unveiled alternatives to a diplomatic understanding that does not pass through NATO. “The question is not NATO, but how we can create a security zone”, The French president said at the time, reflecting the long meeting with Putin at a long table that inspired many jokes. Macron said there, Try to persuade the Russian president to think of another “framework”.

On his way to the Russian capital, the French president has already told reporters that he will not rule out a Possible operation “Finnishing” Ukraine – This is a kind of neutrality law – like Le Monde newspaper reported. the Discomfort in Kiev It was a lot.

Bruno Le Maire, French Economy Minister. Try to explain better Its leader’s idea: “Do we want Russia fully allied with China or Russia somewhere between China and Europe?” , he wondered. To keep Russia close, the Elysee appears willing to maintain a degree of proximity to Moscow, showing that it is audible and opening the door to discussing other ways to allay his concerns regarding the European space.