Moscow-. Russia has expressed its dissatisfaction with the responses provided by the United States and NATO this week to its proposals on security guarantees, and stressed that it will analyze them carefully.
After hearing the West’s position, Russia’s presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said there was no reason to be optimistic.
In his opinion, it cannot be said that the West took into account Russia’s considerations in its responses, and showed no willingness to consider its concerns.
On January 26, Washington and the leadership of the Euro-Atlantic bloc expressed their views in writing on the initiatives disclosed by the Russian side on December 17, 2021.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the document presented by the United States did not contain a positive reaction to the main topic of the proposal: the need to prevent NATO expansion and the deployment of offensive weapons that could threaten Russia.
Ironically, he noted, Washington’s position on the draft Russian agreements allows one to be confident in initiating a serious conversation on minor issues only.
Speaking to the press, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said his country’s response includes the concerns of the White House and its allies and partners about Russia’s actions that allegedly undermine security.
He said the response includes an initial and actionable assessment of the concerns raised by Moscow and US proposals for discussion in areas where the two countries can find common ground.
He stated that the position of the White House was coordinated with Kiev and stressed that his country would continue to provide military aid to Ukraine with aides and weapons.
For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that the military bloc wants to resume dialogue with Russia, reopen its offices in Moscow and Brussels and reactivate existing military communication channels.
He stated that NATO is proposing serious consultations on arms control, including nuclear weapons and ground-based intermediate and short-range missiles.
He noted that NATO will continue to coordinate actions with Ukraine, as well as all its partners, including Finland, Sweden, Georgia and the European Union, on “the right of each country to choose its own security arrangements.”
On Friday, the Russian Foreign Minister told national radio stations that Moscow does not want wars, but will not allow its security interests to be brutally attacked.
The senior Russian official said talks with the West on security issues were not over yet. He pointed out that Washington and NATO spent more than a month studying the proposals contained in the draft agreements submitted by Russia.
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