© Reuters
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NATO “ready for new armed conflict in Europe”, if negotiations with Russia fail, said the NATO Secretary General.
He also told the Financial Times: “I know the history of Russia. For centuries they have had conflicts with their neighbors. But Russia has an alternative – to cooperate, to work together with NATO.”
President Vladimir Putin denies any plans to invade Ukraine. But both he and the head of Russia’s delegation to today’s US talks in Geneva, Sergei Ryabkov, say force could be used if the Americans and NATO ignore demands for new safeguards that would effectively weaken US and NATO capabilities in Europe. .
“It is possible to find a path together, a political path to follow, and to respond to Russia’s concerns. But there is always a risk of conflict. NATO’s restraining power is solid and strong. We must hope and work for the best. result, but be prepared for the worst. “
Stoltenberg hopes for a series of meetings with the Russians and says “we are ready to fight for better relations because we have proven that we are capable of compromise and finding solutions with Russia.”
But Moscow wants the alliance first to abandon eastward expansion and relocate its infrastructure to where it was 25 years ago. Stoltenberg says the United States and NATO are ready to discuss arms control, more transparency in military activity and exercises, and better lines of communication with the Russians.
A senior member of the Joe Biden administration, quoted by the Financial Times, also spoke of readiness to rule out the deployment of US missiles in Ukraine and to discuss rules for missile systems in Europe, but only on a reciprocal basis.
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