The issue of not expanding the North Atlantic Alliance to the east is a key issue for Russia, and it cannot yield to the United States in it. This opinion was expressed on Monday, January 10, by political analyst Andrei Koshkin in an interview with Izvestia.
“Sergei Ryabkov, as a professional and diplomat, highly appreciates the training of the team of diplomats from the United States. Yesterday’s set in the format of two hours of official dinner made an amazing impression on him. And today, eight hours of constructive work, of course, for him is a pleasant, highly professional team, which led a constructive dialogue both from one side and the other. It was under this impression that he began his briefing, but, unfortunately, when the journalists attacked him with sharp questions, the morale itself somehow decreased, although Ryabkov considers himself an unsurpassed optimist, “the expert noted.
According to Koshkin, Russia and the United States have not yet managed to find common ground on NATO’s eastward expansion.
As the political scientist emphasized, the key issue for Russia has not yet been clarified, the corresponding decision will be made after the talks on January 12.
“There is nowhere to retreat, the question must be tough, as the Russian team of diplomats in Geneva is raising the question,” he concluded.
Earlier on January 10, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States looked forward to new contacts with Russia on the prospects for security discussions in the coming days. He also added that the American delegation at the US-Russian talks in Geneva had put forward several proposals for bilateral measures to improve security, and stressed that Washington did not intend to begin discussing restrictions on NATO membership with Moscow.
Earlier that day, on January 10, Sergei Ryabkov, following the results of Russian-American negotiations on security guarantees, said that the issue of non-expansion of NATO was key for the national security of the Russian Federation, and the settlement of this topic could not be postponed any longer. He also stressed that Moscow needs guarantees that Ukraine and Georgia will never become members of the alliance. In addition, the diplomat noted that the Russian side “is tired of conducting empty talk,” and Moscow needs “reinforced concrete, legally significant guarantees.”
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States looks forward to new contacts with Russia on the prospects for security discussions in the coming days. He also added that the American delegation at the US-Russian talks in Geneva had put forward several proposals for bilateral measures to improve security, and stressed that Washington did not intend to begin discussing restrictions on NATO membership with Moscow.
The talks between Russia and the United States on security guarantees ended in Geneva on January 10 and lasted approximately 7.5 hours. Discussions were held at the US Permanent Mission in Geneva in a format closed to the press. The Russian side was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. The American delegation was led by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
