In what Russia and the United States agreed on security guarantees – RBK

Sherman at her press conference firmly stated that no one can impose the US, NATO and any countries on how to conduct their foreign policy. “We will not allow anyone to close the door of NATO’s open door policy, which has always been at the forefront of the alliance’s activities. We will not make decisions about the fate of Ukraine without Ukraine, about Europe without Europe, about NATO without NATO, ”she said.

However, regarding Russia’s demand to provide legal guarantees that strike weapons that can hit targets on Russian territory will not be deployed near the Russian borders, a compromise can still be found, Sherman said. The preliminary items that the US proposed to discuss today included the deployment of missiles, and the US made it clear that it is ready to discuss the future of some missile systems in Europe in accordance with the provisions of the now defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), Sherman explained. The United States was the first to withdraw from this treaty, accusing Russia of violating it, after which it took a similar step.

However, as Ryabkov stated, this issue should be considered together with others, the negotiations should not be limited to it. “As always, the question is what will constitute the scope of such an agreement and, again, in our case, will it become an element, a part, a component of a broader solution of a series of key aspects. We cannot cover only the topic of the INF Treaty, deal only with it, ”Ryabkov explained Moscow’s argument.

Together with the US-proposed treaty, Russia has prepared a draft agreement with NATO. It is supposed to introduce restrictions on military exercises conducted by allies in the alliance. To this Sherman said that Washington is ready to discuss this topic. And urged Russia to begin de-escalation on the border with Ukraine. According to the Deputy Secretary of State, a group of 100,000 military men is now concentrated here from the Russian side. The United States is calling on Russia to return them to their places of permanent deployment, and in the event of an alleged invasion, it threatens to impose sanctions that will be tougher than those that followed after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. “We have conducted and will continue to conduct these training events on our territory, because as NATO cares about its security, so we care about our security and do what we think is necessary. At the same time, of course, we strictly comply with all our obligations in the field of arms control, nonproliferation, whatever our opponents may say on this score, “Ryabkov said in response.

Ryabkov expressed the hope that “tomorrow, when the US delegation will hold a briefing for the allies on the North Atlantic Alliance in Brussels, and the day after tomorrow, when our delegation will work there on the same subjects, a better, greater understanding will emerge in the NATO circle that all this cannot be led to a dead end and a breakthrough is needed, a real step towards Russia is needed, and it is a NATO step, not Russia towards NATO. “

Sherman confirmed that consultations with the allies will be held and after that it will become clear whether the negotiations can continue.

Ryabkov insists that Moscow needs results as soon as possible. “This is not about months, not weeks, we need an urgent response, we need a quick response,” the diplomat told reporters, noting, however, that “we cannot set any deadlines, no time limits at all”.

Sherman noted that she knows about this approach of the Russian side. Nevertheless, negotiations on complex topics cannot be completed in a few weeks or days, and Ryabkov is well aware of this.