The non-expansion of NATO and the non-emergence of weapons threatening security at Russia’s borders are the main issues in the negotiations with the West. Thus, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commented on the statements that NATO’s non-expansion would not be discussed at the talks on security guarantees. At the same time, there are no exact dates for the meeting yet.
“In this regard, we emphasize: it is precisely the non-expansion of NATO and the non-emergence of weapons systems that threaten our security at the Russian borders that are the main, key issues in the upcoming negotiations with the United States and NATO. Those who have not yet grasped the essence of the Russian position should be very clear about this for themselves, ”said Ms Zakharova, quoted by the Foreign Ministry website.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry handed over to the United States drafts of two documents prepared by the Russian side: an agreement with the United States on security guarantees, as well as an agreement on security measures for the Russian Federation and NATO member states. Among other things, Moscow demands that Washington and its allies abandon NATO expansion, stop military cooperation with post-Soviet countries, remove American nuclear weapons from Europe, and withdraw NATO forces to the 1997 positions.
Afterwards, the Izvestia newspaper reported that negotiations on security guarantees could take place in the second half of January. A diplomatic source said the talks would be of paramount importance to Moscow: whether further consultations with NATO would take place on their outcome.
The Kremlin expects to receive concrete answers from Washington in January to proposals on security guarantees, said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president. According to him, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will represent the Russian side. At the same time, there are no exact dates for the meeting yet.
Read about Moscow’s proposals in the publication of Kommersant, “Russia has taken a bilateral position.”
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