“Everyone understands that there is a moment of truth in Russia-NATO relations. You cannot constantly step on Russia’s painful places, you have to decide … The conversation must be serious and everyone in NATO understands very well that, despite all the power and strength, concrete political action must be taken, otherwise Russia’s military-technical and military response is an alternative, Gavrilov said on Rossija TV 24.
–
He said the United States would have to enter into a dialogue with Russia on security guarantees, whether they liked it or not.
–
Ukraine must not be in NATO, Russia asks
Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry presented a draft agreement between the two countries on security guarantees. The documents were handed over to Washington and its allies. One of the points says that NATO will provide a guarantee that the Alliance will not expand to the east, including the territory of Ukraine.
–
In addition, additional troops and weapons should not be deployed outside the countries in which they were stationed in May 1997. This requirement also applies to the Czech Republic, which joined NATO in 1999, and Slovakia, which joined five years later.
–
One of the clauses also states “the abandonment of all NATO military activities in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia”.
–
Washington has confirmed that it has received the draft agreement.
–
In early December, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his US counterpart Joe Biden. Washington then announced that a meeting was being prepared with the participation of the United States, NATO leaders and Russia, at which the parties would be able to discuss Moscow’s concerns.
—
