The official made the statement after Russia published a draft of proposals for security guarantees for the United States and NATO.
In Ryabkov’s words, Washington and its NATO allies ought to cease immediately the regular unfriendly actions against Russia, including unscheduled drills, dangerous flights and sailing near Russian borders and both sea- and airborne maneuvers, as well as halt military buildup on the territory of Ukraine.
Ryabkov warned that a hypothetical accession of Ukraine to NATO, along with the potential deployment of missile systems near Russia’s borders, would constitute an unacceptable threat to national security, causing serious risks for all states involved.
The official requested that Washington take seriously the initiative of security guarantees handed over diplomatic channels, taking into account that the international situation is “very hot” and finding a way to reduce tensions is of common interest.
He also reminded that both States, as nuclear powers, are especially responsible for European security.
President Vladimir Putin held talks with dignitaries on recent days and called the United States and NATO to launch negotiations at once that allow Russia to have reliable and long-term security guarantees.
The authorities in Moscow announced that the concrete proposals on the issue were handed over to Washington representatives with the objective of having them assessed and discussed so as to halt NATO’s eastward expansion.
mh/llp/gas/mml
