Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator at this week’s talks in Abu Dhabi, called for a “new Yalta and Potsdam,” referring to the conferences at which Allied leaders divided postwar Europe into spheres of influence.
Initiating a discussion on changing the continent’s security architecture before a ceasefire is established in Ukraine gives Moscow additional leverage to counter Europe’s long-term financial and military support for Ukraine. Moreover, revising the continent’s security architecture could drive a wedge between Europe and the United States.
U.S. officials have proposed resuming the activities of the NATO-Russia Council—a consultative body established in 2002 to give Russia a voice in the alliance’s discussions, but which Moscow effectively abandoned as it prepared for war against Ukraine.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry also suggested that one way to renegotiate the agreements in Russia’s favor could be for individual NATO members to sign mutual non-aggression pacts with Russia. According to analysts, this move would render meaningless the mutual defense guarantee that forms the foundation of the alliance.