Russia correspondent Iris de Graaf:
“In the Russian media, today’s consultations are portrayed as the moment of truth: will NATO respect Russia and comply with the full package of demands?
Optimists hope that after this week new agreements will be made on arms control or on advance notification of military exercises. This would take some of the pressure off the boiler.
At the same time, the Kremlin itself seems to realize that the unprecedented package of demands is unrealistic. It is therefore feared that after these summits Russia may say you see, we have tried diplomatically, but the West is not making any concessions. And so they leave us no choice but to defend ourselves, and then take further steps towards Ukraine.”
NATO correspondent Sander van Hoorn:
“The fact that NATO and Russia are talking in the NATO building in Brussels is already a step. Russia stopped two years ago with those consultations, which had taken place regularly until then. Short lines and keeping in touch with each other, that is the aim today. More is not expected, as Putin’s demands are too far-reaching and impossible for NATO to discuss.
Russia has put on the table a package of demands that NATO cannot and does not want to meet. But as long as there is talk, there is no fighting, is the thought. Should that happen, if Russia decides to attack Ukraine, there will be serious consequences, the NATO member states emphasize. Sanctions. But there is still a difference of opinion within NATO about the nature and severity of those sanctions.”
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