Russian Foreign Ministry unveiled draft agreements with NATO and the US, aimed to define "division of spheres of influence" in Europe. These documents require NATO to commit legally that it will never offer membership to Ukraine, and goes far beyond it.

EuroPravda editor Sergiy Sydorenko explains, why Russia's demands goes with good news for Ukraine.

Russian MFA has published two draft agreements. One of them is the bilateral US-Russia; the second is multilateral, which Kremlin demands to be signed by NATO, i.e. it has to be approved by all members of the Alliance. The multilateral draft is the key of two.

Meanwhile, the proposal offered by Russia to NATO is completely unrealistic. Among other provisions it demands the US and Western European states to withdraw troops from the territory of Eastern NATO members and never move troops there unless with the consent of Russia. In fact, it means that NATO should exclude its Eastern allies. 

This sounds even more absurd given that Russia pledges the Alliance nothing in return! Kremlin expects only concessions by NATO.

Not less important is that drafts were published by Moscow before negotiations. It goes against the rules of the international politics, meaning that Kremlin does not expect these drafts to be negotiated.

Why did it happen and what does it mean for Ukraine? Read more (in Ukrainian) in Sergiy Sydorenko's article "Why Russia's ultimatum to NATO is a good news for Ukraine"