Americans and Russians concluded, Monday, January 10, in Geneva, nearly eight hours of intense discussions to try to find the path of a de-escalation. Talks between the two delegations, led by US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Riabkov, revolved around demands for ” security guarantees Formulated by the Kremlin to Western countries.
Almost eight hours of discussions
« The interviews were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempting to conceal the points of divergence. », Said Sergei Riabkov. ” We felt that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them in depth. ». “We explained to colleagues that we have no plans, no intention to attack – in quotes – Ukraine”, asserted the Russian negotiator, assuring that there was no reason “To fear an escalation of the situation on this level”.
For her part, Wendy Sherman claimed to have rejected ” security proposals that are simply out of order for the United States”, Including the Russian veto on Ukraine’s entry into NATO and allied military cooperation with Kiev. ” We will not allow anyone to put the open door policy of NATO, which has always been at the heart of the alliance She said.
« We will not give up bilateral cooperation with sovereign states that wish to work with the United States. And we will not take decisions concerning Ukraine without Ukraine, concerning Europe without Europe or concerning NATO without NATO. ” The United States has indicated that it is ready to discuss reciprocal measures on missiles and military exercises in Europe.
No diplomatic breakthrough but better understanding
For the time being, Russia has not provided any ” responnse “ at the American request of ” de-escalation “ on the Ukrainian border, lamented Wendy Sherman. The American diplomat explained that Moscow could initiate this ” de-escalation “ in “Sending the soldiers back to their barracks” collected at the border in recent weeks. Asked if Sergei Riabkov had given pledges in this regard, she replied: “I don’t think we know the answer to that”.
→ DEBATE. Is Europe doomed to be a simple observer of its security?
No diplomatic breakthrough, therefore, but ” better mutual understanding and each other’s priorities “, According to the American diplomat for whom “It was not what we would call a negotiation “. The tone of the talks ” makes more optimiste ”, estimated, for his part, Sergei Riabkov,“ but the main questions are still unresolved, and we do not see on the American side an understanding of the need for a decision in a way that we are satisfied with. ».
“We must not underestimate the risks linked to a worsening of the evolution of the confrontation”, he added. “We need a breakthrough, a real gesture towards Russia must be made and it must come from NATO”, he hammered, assuring that “Never ever” Ukraine should not join the Atlantic Alliance.
Meeting Wednesday January 12 at NATO
In two texts, published on December 17, – a bilateral treaty with the United States on “security guarantees” and an “agreement on measures to ensure security” with NATO – Russia had displayed its ambition to see reshaping to its advantage the European order in force since the end of the cold war. At the same time, nearly 100,000 Russian troops remain massed near the Ukrainian border with, according to the United States, “Plans to mobilize double in a very short time”.
Discussions started in Geneva will continue on Wednesday January 12 in Brussels within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council and Thursday January 13 in Vienna within the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) . In addition, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg received Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanichyna on Monday January 10.
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