Russia publishes “red line” security demands for NATO and the United States

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Russia has published a set of tough demands by the United States and NATO, which would end all prospects of Ukraine or any other former Soviet states joining the transatlantic alliance and rewrite many of the principles underpinning European security since the end of the Cold War. .

Moscow’s demands go well beyond the “red lines” mentioned by President Vladimir Putin, who has said they are necessary to isolate Russia from the threat of attack, many of which NATO and its members have previously ruled out.

The United States and the European Union are concerned that the proposals could be a prelude to war after Russia deployed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine in recent weeks.

Putin, who denies Moscow’s plans to invade its neighbor, has blamed the tensions on NATO, for supplying Kiev with advanced weapons and for conducting “provocative” maneuvers near Russia’s borders.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow wanted to start negotiations on its proposals in Geneva as soon as possible.

“The United States and NATO have severely escalated the security situation in recent years, which is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous,” Ryabkov said. Washington and its NATO allies must immediately cease their systematic hostilities against our country.

Joe Biden, the US president, agreed to discuss Putin’s complaints further in a video call last week, but gave no indication that Washington could accept the demands. Ryabkov called on the White House to take Moscow’s demands seriously.

A senior administration official said Washington was concerned about “increasingly harsh Russian rhetoric” and the “false narrative that Ukraine is somehow seeking to provoke conflict with Russia.”

Joe Biden, right, US President, speaks to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a video call last week © Adam Schultz/The White House/AP

Under the draft proposals, NATO would have to seek Moscow’s approval to deploy forces in the former communist countries of Europe that joined NATO in May 1997.

NATO will have to refrain from “any military activity” in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. pledge not to deploy any missiles close enough to strike Russia; And limiting the exercises to previously agreed numbers in the border areas.

A separate treaty with the United States requires each side to keep their bombers, naval ships, and missiles at striking distances from the other side, as well as limiting all of their nuclear weapons to their own territory.

The United States also pledges not to establish bases in any former Soviet country or partner with its militaries.

The US official said that Washington is ready to discuss some elements of Moscow’s proposals. “Having said that, there are some things in those documents that the Russians know are unacceptable,” the official added.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: “We will not compromise the fundamental principles of European security, including the right of all nations to determine their own future and foreign policy without outside interference.”

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Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, did not rule out discussions about Russia’s demands, but said the alliance was “clear that any dialogue with Russia would also need to address NATO’s concerns about Russia’s actions, on the basis of basic principles and documents for European security. This is being done in consultation with NATO partners.” Europeans are like Ukraine.”

NATO members want to avoid out-of-control dismissal of Russia’s proposals and give Putin a propaganda victory, while at the same time making clear that many of the demands – including the exclusion of Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance – are unacceptable.

NATO officials also recognize that without negotiations to defuse tensions and reverse the deployment of Russian forces, Moscow may seek to entrench the militarization of the border as an acceptable baseline.

“We emphasize that only Ukraine and NATO member states have the right to determine the direction of development of our relations, including the question of Ukraine’s obtaining membership in the alliance,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

“The same applies to the exclusive sovereign right of Ukraine to independently determine the course of its relations with foreign countries at the bilateral level, including on military cooperation.”

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