Cards on the Table
RUSSIA/ UKRAINE
Russia issued a series of demands for security guarantees from NATO over the weekend in an effort to limit the alliance’s role in Ukraine and other former Soviet states, the Moscow Times reported.
The demands came amid soaring tensions at the Ukrainian border over the past few weeks after Russia mobilized thousands of soldiers in what the Western defense bloc believes is a prelude to an invasion.
According to the demands, the Kremlin is asking NATO to call off all military activities not just in Ukraine but also in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus region and Central Asia. This would include a legally binding guarantee that NATO will block future membership for any former Soviet republic, including Ukraine.
Moscow also asked the United States and NATO to refrain from establishing new military bases in former Soviet countries, and from deploying troops to Eastern Europe without Russian consent. The latter demand would effectively ban NATO from sending troops to alliance members including Poland and the Baltic nations.
Meanwhile, Russia wants NATO to reaffirm that the two “do not consider each other adversaries” and that they will “resolve all disputes peacefully and refrain from the use of force.”
US officials said that they were willing to discuss the proposals. They added that they wouldn’t start talks without input from Europe.
Meanwhile, the European Union criticized the Kremlin’s attempt to block Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO and threatened “massive consequences and severe costs” for Russia if the country decides to invade Ukraine.
Even so, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that it is “highly unlikely” that Britain and its allies will send troops to defend Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion, according to the BBC.
Analysts said the demands would shake the balance of power in Europe and doubted that the West would agree to meet them.
They explained that the security proposals are “a bargaining position” and could “shape negotiations in the shadow of a looming military threat to Ukraine and, by extension, to Europe.”
No comments:
Post a Comment