US And NATO's Written Response To Russian Demands
By Donald Standeford, Correspondent - Follow -
Date Published: January 27, 2022 08:20PM UTC
Last Modified: January 27, 2022 08:20PM UTC
Washington - One of Russia's main demands to the U.S. and NATO was to refuse Ukraine membership into the alliance, which would violate NATO's Open Door policy. The written responses from the United States and NATO both reportedly flatly refused to consider any changes to NATO's open door policy at all.
The written response by the United States and NATO, who's response mirrored that of the United States, also reportedly flatly refuses to consider changes to U.S. and NATO troop and military deployments in Eastern Europe. Withdrawing U.S. and NATO troops from Eastern Europe was the second main demand that Russia had expressed.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the U.S. is open to other ideas addressed at Russia's 'security' concerns. "All told it sets out a serious diplomatic path forward. should Russia choose it" he stated.
"The document we’ve delivered includes concerns of the United States and our allies and partners about Russia’s actions that undermine security, a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground".
After the written response was delivered Blinken said, "We’ll see how they respond. But there’s no doubt in my mind that if Russia were to approach this seriously and in a spirit of reciprocity with a determination to enhance collective security for all of us, there are very positive things in this in this document that could be pursued. We can’t make that decision for President Putin".
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, "We cannot and will not compromise on the principles on which the security of our alliance, and security in Europe and North America rest".
"This is about respecting nations and their right to choose their own path. Russia should refrain from coercive force posturing, aggressive rhetoric and malign activities directed against allies and other nations. Russia should also withdraw its forces from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, where they are deployed without these countries’ consent" Stoltenberg said.
Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine stated, "We had seen the written response of the U.S. before it was handed over to Russia. No objections on the Ukrainian side. Important that the U.S. remains in close contact with Ukraine before and after all contacts with Russia. No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine. Golden rule".
Russia however, was not as happy with the written response, saying that its main demands have 'not been taken into account' and warned of an Unavoidable Nuclear Missile Crisis if measures aren't taken.
