In relations between the West and Russia, it is necessary to conduct a verbal de-escalation; threats of sanctions will not help in the negotiation process. The corresponding statement was made on Thursday, January 20, by a member of the Bundestag from the ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Ralf Stegner.
According to him, it makes no sense to “compete in sanctions requirements”.
“I stand for verbal disarmament and support for diplomatic efforts. Now is the time for high-level negotiations, and not for a series of advice or demands for sanctions, ”TASS quotes him as saying.
Stegner also noted the need for Germany to strive for diplomacy, since the country’s role is not to supply weapons.
The chairman of the SPD faction in the Bundestag, Rolf Mützenich, also spoke for de-escalation and restraint, according to which it is necessary to understand Moscow’s train of thought. At the same time, he stressed that he does not share the Kremlin’s fears about European security.
“We must understand our partners and interlocutors in order to find a solution to the conflict acceptable to all parties,” the politician said.
He also said that Russia should put itself in the place of Europe and Ukraine, in addition, it could “reduce by 20% the number of troops on the border with Ukraine, and thus provide a starting point for new negotiations.”
On January 17, Stefan Keuter, member of the Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany party, called it important to involve all European countries in a dialogue with Russia on security guarantees.
He recalled that each state has security interests, and partners should take them seriously. After all, no Russian weapons systems were stationed in Cuba, Koiter concluded.
A day earlier, Stoltenberg called for a de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, saying that NATO was ready to “listen to the concerns” of Russia, but stressed that the alliance was not ready to compromise on expansion.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, in turn, pointed out that the United States and NATO are not ready to meet Russian proposals on security guarantees. According to him, NATO’s position on the issue of non-expansion of the alliance is “impenetrable”, which is alarming.
On December 17, 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements between Russia, the United States and NATO on security guarantees. It follows from the documents that the alliance must renounce any military activity on the territory of Ukraine and other states of Eastern Europe, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. Also, Russia and NATO must pledge not to create conditions that can be regarded as a threat by the other side.
Later, negotiations on security guarantees were held in three stages. On January 10, a meeting of the Russian and US delegations took place in Geneva. On January 12, a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council was held in Brussels, and on January 13, consultations ended at the Vienna site of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
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.
