Washington could give Moscow a written response to security guarantee proposals as early as January 26. This was written in advance by the American media, which all the last days, as best they could, maintained the degree of tension in relations between the two countries. Moreover, both at the official level, constantly asking Biden about new sanctions, and at the Unofficial level, already recording Kharkiv as part of Russia in television reports and talking about the supposedly inevitable invasion of Ukraine. But what is unlikely to be noticed across the ocean now is the forced departure of Russian diplomats to their homeland. An exclusive interview on this subject was given by the Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov.
Russian diplomats say goodbye to America ahead of time – the State Department completed a business trip for 27 employees ahead of schedule.
“I don’t like such events. I love it when you decide where you work, how long you work and when you leave. In any case, I am grateful to you for your work. Thank you,” Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov says goodbye to diplomats.
Photos for memory, hugs, and, of course, tears. A big embassy is like a big family. Everyone came out to see them off. The first batch goes home. The departure of the second group of our diplomats at the request of the Americans will be in the summer. A total of 55 people. They are not officially accused of anything and are not expelled – they are simply not allowed to work.
“It was said that if these people do not leave, then the next day they will lose their diplomatic privileges and may be arrested. Under these conditions, we do not consider anything other than expulsion, as an unfriendly, hostile step against our country actions of the United States of America At the State Department, our employees were clearly told that the Russian ambassador will be forced to leave the United States of America by Aprilif we do not fulfill a number of conditions of the United States of America to provide visas to the guards of the American ambassador in Moscow,” Antonov said.
The diplomatic way of resolving the bilateral crisis in Washington is mentioned less and less. Now, only about sending troops, Biden is bombarded with questions by journalists from the White House pool. 8,500 thousand soldiers are on high alert to be sent to Eastern Europe.
– When will you decide on the deployment of these troops? the AP correspondent asked the President of the United States a question.
“It depends on what will lead to what will happen, what Putin will or will not do. And I may transfer some of these troops in the short term only because it takes time. And again, it’s not, it’s not provocative. That’s exactly what I said: that’s as long as we have to reassure,” Joe Biden replied.
– Could you ever imagine that there would be sanctions against Putin if he really invaded Ukraine? is the next question.
“Yes,” Biden says.
– Would you do it? – specifies the journalist.
“I would have seen it,” the President replies.
Moscow warned: sanctions against the President of Russia will mean a break in bilateral relations. Standing among bags, T-shirts and mugs, the oldest president in US history could forget about it. In the souvenir shop, Biden bought trinkets for his vice president – it will cheer you up. The ratings of both politicians are worse than ever. The catastrophe with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the undefeated covid, and every third compatriot considers their coming to power illegal. The word “mode” sounds from the screens.
“After the defeat in the ‘grave of all empires’ Afghanistan, the regime has embarked on a new adventure – the invasion of Russia in the winter,” American political commentator Tucker Carlson comments with a laugh.
But official Washington speaks with serious faces about the situation around Ukraine. Furrowing their brows, they announce the evacuation of their diplomats from almost pre-war Kiev. Kiev called the panic of senior comrades unjustified, but was quickly put in place.
“Ukrainian leaders have welcomed the security assistance we’ve been providing to them over the past few days, and they even met us at the airport. So that seems to contradict that assessment,” said Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the US White House.
From across the ocean, of course, you can see better what is happening in Ukraine. And while American politicians defend its independence, CNN is sabotaging it. Journalists gave Kharkiv to Russia, releasing the appropriate geotitle for commentary on the situation around Ukraine.
NATO has gone through five waves of enlargement since 2000, adding 14 new members to its ranks. And no one seems to be stopping. Russia is forced to seek security guarantees. Vladimir Putin spoke about this back in 2007 during his speech in Munich. Then they didn’t hear him.
The speech at the 2007 Munich Security Conference should have dispelled any doubts about whether Russia views NATO policies in general and the alliance’s inexorable march to the east in particular as provocative and threatening. Putin has been warning his Western counterparts to change course.
The United States promises to give an answer to Moscow’s demands in the near future, perhaps as early as January 26.
“There will be no surprises for NATO, for our European allies, for Ukrainian partners,” said US State Department spokesman Ned Price.
When asked if there would be any surprises for Russia, he replied: “We have been very clear about the areas in which diplomacy and dialogue can be fruitful, and in which they are simply unacceptable.”
The United States threatens Russia with sanctions in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, although Moscow has repeatedly explained that there are no plans to attack a neighbor. To take a sober look at things and think before turning on the next sanctions conveyor, American politicians are advised by their own businessmen. US energy companies have turned to the White House demanding that they be allowed to work in Russia. But the representatives of the American authorities cannot be stopped. In their role as world overseer, they threaten everyone and everything. Belarus is already being warned.
“Russia’s increase in troop levels in Belarus is a cause for deep concern. We made it clear to Belarus that if it allows its territory to be used to attack Ukraine, it will face a swift and decisive response from the United States and its allies and partners” Ned Price warned.
Soon the staff at the State Department headquarters, from where Ned Price broadcasts, is likely to be replenished. The team should be joined by people who, talking about Russia, have at least been to it.
Russian diplomats are leaving Washington, and employees of the American embassy are flying in the opposite direction, to the United States. This is a requirement of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Americans must leave Russia by the end of January.