Resuming security talks, including arms control, is necessary “for the benefit of all mankind,” but difficult to do in the current environment, Ambassador Sullivan acknowledged.
John Sullivan
(Photo: Vladislav Shatilo for RBC)
Moscow and Washington should continue to discuss key security issues, including weapons of mass destruction. This was stated by US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, his words were published on Twitter of the diplomatic mission.
The ambassador acknowledged that in the current context, in the context of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, it is difficult to start a dialogue, but expressed the hope that negotiations will resume “for the benefit of all mankind.” “Our predecessors led them during the Cold War. Of course, it takes both sides to negotiate,” Sullivan added.
Lavrov said NATO heard Russia’s security concerns
In December 2021, Russia sent proposals on security guarantees to the United States and NATO against the backdrop of aggravated relations between Moscow and Western countries. Among the main demands of the Russian side is the consolidation of the refusal to expand NATO to the east and the non-alignment of Ukraine to the bloc, like other republics of the former USSR. Russia also proposed to the United States mutually refrain from deploying armed forces and weapons in areas where such deployment would be perceived by the other side as a threat to national security.
The parties held several rounds of negotiations, and also sent each other written responses to proposals, but could not agree on security guarantees.