Russia and the United States prepare to start the year with a security dialogue – Rossiyskaya Gazeta
The first consultations between Russia and the United States on security guarantees are scheduled for January 10 in Geneva. And then this dialogue can continue in Brussels in a wider circle – with the participation of NATO countries. Commenting on expectations from the meeting, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov notes that “it is impossible to come to an agreement in one day.”
At the same time, he allowed that Russia is approaching this not as a dialogue with an infinitely open date, but is waiting for the result: “We also cannot drag out the process – the issue is very urgent and very serious.”
Probably, the US side will be represented by First US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, who is already vis-a-vis the US at the talks between the two countries on strategic stability. In addition to diplomats, representatives of the Russian defense department are also planning to participate in the meeting.
“Ryabkov informed the TASS agency,” Ryabkov told the TASS agency. Recall that on December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry published two draft documents – on security guarantees between Russia and the United States, as well as on security measures for Russia and NATO members.
Earlier, these proposals were passed on to the American side. The first of the documents provides for the US refusal to establish military bases on the territory of the former USSR that are not members of NATO, as well as a number of mutual restrictions on the deployment of missiles, nuclear weapons and the movement of various types of military equipment. Among the conditions of the second document is NATO’s refusal to apply to it as a whole. It is clear from both the content of the initiative and the formats that it is expedient in Moscow to come to an agreement with Washington in the first place.
In addition to diplomats, representatives of the Russian defense department are also planning to participate in the meeting.
It is noteworthy that the White House itself is participating in a dialogue with the United States and four other key NATO countries, and not all of its members. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the Russian side will adhere to the negotiations “a firm line aimed at defending interests” and does not intend to make unilateral concessions. If an agreement fails, then Moscow declares its readiness for countermeasures in connection with the same threats that the United States and the North Atlantic Alliance as a whole for the security of Russia.