NEW YORK / OSLO (VG): The United States and NATO will continue on a diplomatic track with Russia over the conflict on the border with Ukraine. But then Russia must reduce the military threat, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
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The United States has submitted its written response to Russian demands made by President Vladimir Putin in December, Blinken said at a press conference on Wednesday. Blinken started its press conference from Washington DC, which was to start at 6 pm, around 45 minutes late.
The United States and NATO offer Russia negotiations – if Russia chooses a diplomatic track and reduces the military threat to Ukraine, Blinken says.
“We are open to dialogue, we prefer diplomacy, and we are prepared to continue in the future where there are opportunities for communication and cooperation, if Russia de-escalates aggression against Ukraine and stops with inciting rhetoric,” Blinken said.
–In its written response, the United States has taken a principled and pragmatic evaluation of Russia’s concerns. The answer reflects that the United States is open to further dialogue. The document will not be published for diplomatic reasons, says Blinken.
– We respond in writing to Russia’s concerns, but also promote our own proposals, Blinken said.
He stressed that the United States and its allies in Europe will not negotiate away the right of each country to determine its own course and security alliances.
Stoltenberg: Will not seek confrontation
Just after 7.30 pm, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg started his press conference from Brussels. He also reiterated that Russia must de-escalate immediately. The tense situation and disagreement must be resolved diplomatically, Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO had communicated its written answers and proposals to Russia on Wednesday, in parallel with the United States.
The NATO chief presented three main areas for improvement in NATO’s response to Russia.
First is the diplomatic relationship between NATO and Russia. Russia has severed diplomatic ties with NATO, making talks difficult, according to Stoltenberg.
The second is the security situation in Europe, including in and around Ukraine. The third concerns risk reduction, more transparency and better weapons control, including nuclear weapons, Stoltenberg said.
NATO will continue the diplomatic process and listen to Russia’s concerns. Stoltenberg called for the restoration of diplomatic relations and the re-establishment of respective offices in Brussels and Moscow.
“NATO is a defense alliance and will not seek confrontation,” said Stoltenberg.
Although hoping for a good solution, NATO is prepared for the worst, Stoltenberg said.
Will prevent war
Russia has demanded that Ukraine can never join NATO and that allied forces must be withdrawn from NATO countries in the east.
It was expected that both the United States and NATO would flatly reject these demands, but rather offer negotiations.
NATO does not want to compromise on certain key principles, Stoltenberg repeats. It includes the principle that all countries can choose to apply for membership in the defense alliance.
Efforts are now being made to prevent war in Europe. NATO’s plan is to offer Russia three urgent meetings with concrete proposals for the agenda in the coming weeks.
Blinken urges all Americans to strongly consider leaving Ukraine, but the US Embassy will remain open.
The conflict between Russia, the United States and NATO is intensifying, despite a series of meetings, negotiations and other diplomatic advances between the parties.
Met in Switzerland
The situation on the border with Ukraine has been tense for several months, with around 100,000 Russian soldiers deployed.
The United States is working to resolve the conflict in the UN Security Council before Russia takes over the presidency on 1 February.
Last week, Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met for meetings in Geneva, Switzerland. Blinken reiterated a warning that Russia will be met with a rapid united response from the United States and its allies if they move across the border into Ukraine. Lavrov, for his part, claimed that Russia has never threatened the Ukrainian people.
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