Russia issued a series of detonation conditions to the West 2
The eight-point draft treaty was sent to the US by the Russian Foreign Ministry this week, warning that ignoring Moscow’s interests could lead to a `military reaction` like what happened during the crisis.
In the draft, Russia asked NATO to withdraw all soldiers and weapons from countries that joined the alliance after 1997, including Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and the Balkan countries.
US soldiers (left) and Ukraine during exercises near Yavoriv on September 25.
Russia also called on both sides to withdraw short- and medium-range missiles from each other’s borders, replacing the Long-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) that the US withdrew from in 2018.
A senior US official said yesterday that the Kremlin fully understands that many points in this proposal are `unacceptable`.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Washington had received Moscow’s dialogue proposals and was discussing with allies and partners in Europe.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on December 17 that the country has not set a deadline for dialogue, but affirmed that Moscow wants to start negotiations soon and not stall.
The draft was issued in the context of tensions surrounding Ukraine recently escalating, turning this hot spot into a `trigger` of conflict in Europe.
Russia rejected the accusations and declared them `baseless`, asserting that all of its military moves on the western border are purely for defensive purposes.
Russian military vehicles gathered in Yelninsky, Smolensk province, November 22.
Chief of the Russian Army General Staff Valery Gerasimov on December 9 rejected Western concerns about Moscow’s military deployment, affirming that the country has the right to deploy forces anywhere on its territory if it wants.
Ukraine cannot join NATO yet.
US President Joe Biden said on December 8 that he is not considering the option of deploying US soldiers to Ukraine to prevent the risk of Russia attacking across the border.
