MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is considering a NATO proposal calling on it to start talks on January 12 over its security expectations, Russia’s Foreign Minister said on Sunday, quoted by TASS.
In the context of strong diplomatic tensions between Moscow and Washington on the Ukrainian dossier, Russia has warned of the risk of a major confrontation with the West if the United States and its allies do not seriously consider providing guarantees of Moscow security.
Priorities for the Kremlin: the promise to cease all military activity in Ukraine and Eastern Europe and that to end the enlargement of the Alliance.
“We received this offer [de l’Otan], and we are examining it, “said the Russian Foreign Minister, quoted by Tass.
According to Washington, Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops on the borders of Ukraine, a possible prelude to an invasion. Moscow denies any bellicose intent, denounces the aggressive behavior of Kiev and the West, and declares that these troop movements are purely defensive in nature.
Moscow’s “security pledges” proposals appear in two documents – a draft treaty with NATO countries, another with the United States – that the Russian Foreign Minister made public in mid-December.
The Kremlin mainly demands that no additional troops or military equipment be deployed by NATO outside the countries which made up the Alliance in May 1997 – before the start of the expansion towards the East – except in exceptional cases and by agreement. with Moscow.
(Report Maxime Rodionov, French version Sophie Louet)