The European Union (EU) in a response letter to Russia proposed to continue the dialogue on strengthening security for all countries, said on Thursday, February 10, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
“Today, based on the unanimous decision of 27 EU member states, I sent a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in response to his written message to each of them on January 28. It addresses the issues raised by Minister Lavrov and confirms the proposal of the EU and its member states to continue the dialogue with Russia on ways to improve security for all,” the head of European diplomacy said.
Borrell added that the EU has a common foreign and security policy, the purpose of which is to act together on all issues of key common interest. This also applies to replies to letters, the content of which must be decided by the EU states. Questioning this rule will be “only those who are interested in dividing us,” he stressed.
Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that he had sent a letter to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry with an invitation to continue a series of meetings in the Russia-NATO Council. Stoltenberg urged Moscow to either stop the “aggression” against Ukraine and resolve the issue through diplomacy, or prepare for the imposition of tough sanctions. If the meeting was ignored, the head of NATO threatened to send new military contingents to the east of Europe.
Negotiations on security guarantees were held in three stages in January. 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.
Vladimir Putin said on February 1 that the United States and NATO, in their responses to Russian proposals for security guarantees, ignored Moscow’s fundamental demands. The head of state clarified that Moscow did not see an adequate response to key requirements.
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.
