He said that Russia had sent to European capitals and Washington “concrete proposals of the Russian side, draft two documents, a treaty and an agreement on security guarantees.”
Peskov said that before we can talk about a new face-to-face summit between Putin and Biden, “we need to understand what the concrete response of the American side and the Europeans will be to these proposals of ours.”
According to him, the formats of negotiations have already been agreed upon for this. Peskov expressed hope that such negotiations will begin in January.
On December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements on “security guarantees” between Russia, the United States and NATO, which were transferred on December 15 to US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried.
In particular, in Art. 4 of the draft agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States states that the United States must commit to exclude further NATO expansion “eastward”, refuse to admit to the Alliance states that were previously part of the USSR.
In addition, the draft treaty between the Russian Federation and NATO clarifies that the Russian Federation and all NATO members as of May 27, 1997 (that is, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Albania , Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia) do not deploy their armed forces and weapons on the territory of all other European states in addition to the forces stationed in this territory as of May 27, 1997, except in exceptional cases.
On December 17, the White House announced that it was familiar with the Russian draft agreements, stressing that the United States will not negotiate with the Russian Federation on “security guarantees” without allies in Europe. The United States plans to respond to the “security guarantees” proposed by the Russian Federation, this week, wrote Bloomberg referring to a senior official in the US presidential administration.
According to Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s dialogue with the Russian Federation should take place in consultation with European partners, such as Ukraine… The Russian Foreign Ministry said that are not going to be involved in negotiations on “security guarantees” for Ukraine, the draft of which presupposes NATO’s refusal to include the country in the Alliance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on December 21 that the security requirements of the Russian Federation are not an ultimatumbut the West must answer them.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in response to the demands of the Russian Federation to NATO called on Russia as the first steps to achieve security guarantees on the European continent, “immediately and unconditionally return to the constructive agenda and begin the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the agreements of the leaders of the Normandy format” on the settlement of the conflict in Donbass.
Putin has personally met with Biden since his inauguration of the President of the United States once – July 16, 2021 in Geneva (Switzerland). In addition, before the video call, Putin and Biden spoke on the phone three times, notes Forbes.
December 7, Biden and Putin held talks over a secure video link… They lasted more than two hours.
The White House said that Biden, during online talks with Putin, expressed “deep concern” for the United States and its European allies over the Russian build-up of forces around Ukraine. Biden warned Putin on “decisive economic and other measures” in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, calling for a de-escalation of the situation.
The Kremlin said that the “dominant place” in the online talks between Putin and Biden took the topic of Donbass, in particular, the heads of the two states discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
In addition, the presidents discussed information security issues, an action plan for the Iranian nuclear program, as well as cooperation between the United States and the Russian Federation.
Putin, during a conversation with Biden, said that NATO attempts to “develop” the territory Ukraine. “Therefore, Russia is seriously interested in obtaining reliable, legally fixed guaranteesthat exclude NATO’s eastward expansion and the deployment of offensive strike weapons systems in states adjacent to Russia, “he said.
The White House noted that Biden did not make concessions to the Russian side regarding the possible entry of Ukraine into NATO.
Biden and Putin strongly diverge in recognition “red lines”announced in Russia, said Kremlin Speaker Dmitry Peskov.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, commenting on Peskov’s statement, said that Putin’s “red lines” are limited to the territory of the Russian Federation.
On December 15, Biden announced “lengthy” talks with Putin. The Kremlin admitted that the conversation may take place before the end of the year.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on December 21 that Washington do not plan a summit yet Biden and Putin.
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