On Thursday, the Russians met with the OSCE, an organization that unites 57 European states, including Ukraine and Russia itself. Earlier this week, talks were held with NATO and the United States. According to Russia, these have been insufficient. Russian OSCE ambassador Lukashevich warned of a major crisis if the West does not meet Russia. “If we do not hear a constructive response to our proposals within a reasonable time and the aggressive behavior towards Russia continues, we will have to take necessary measures to strike a strategic balance and remove the unacceptable threat to our national security.” Lukashevich tweeted. He called the negotiations “a moment of truth.” Without an agreement, a catastrophic outcome threatens, according to Lukashevich.
On the border with Ukraine, Russia has gathered an estimated 100 thousand soldiers. Moscow demands from the West a promise that Ukraine and other former Soviet republics should never join NATO. The Russians also demand that NATO withdraw troops and equipment from Eastern Europe and to the area where it was active before 1997. Both demands are unacceptable to the US and NATO.
On ‘dead track’
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the talks have reached a ‘dead track’. Without “flexibility” from the West, “I see no reason to gather in the coming days and have the same discussions over it,” Ryabkov told Russian television. Ryabkov further increased the pressure by suggesting that Russia will send troops to Cuba and Venezuela if the negotiations fail. He did not want to confirm or deny reports about this. Last month, Ryabkov compared the current crisis to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the US and NATO will respond in writing to Russia’s demands next week. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the Western principle that NATO’s door is always open to new members. Although there is no prospect of Ukraine joining NATO in the foreseeable future, the United States and the NATO countries believe that each country should be allowed to decide for itself which bloc it wishes to join. It remains to be seen which path Vladimir Putin will choose. Will he choose the path of diplomacy and dialogue or that of confrontation and aggression? Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the OSCE, said the West should prepare for an escalation of tensions with Russia.