Russia-Ukraine: Vladimir Putin accuses NATO of ignoring demands

Russian President, Vladimir Putin has reportedly accused NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) of ignoring Russian concerns amidst escalating tensions with Ukraine.

According to reports, the Russian leader has said that the United States (US) and its NATO allies are ignoring Russia’s security concerns, however, Russia is committed to continuing talks with the Western countries he confirmed in a telephone conversation with the French President Emmanuel Macron. In his first public comment on the US and NATO responses to Russia’s proposal to re-write “security architecture”, Putin stated that Moscow is concerned about NATO expansion and the deployment of NATO forces near its borders.

According to British Daily, The Guardian, Putin has agreed to continue talks however, Macron has insisted Russia respect the “essential principle of state sovereignty“. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has expressed concern over Russia’s military buildup in the region claiming the consequences would be “disastrous” if Russia continues to incite war. Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has also argued that the diplomatic manoeuvres of the Biden administration are paving the way to inciting fear.

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It is pertinent to note that approximately 100,000 Russian troops are currently spread out across the border. According to The Guardian, when asked about the rising escalation, Zelensky said that the situation is not much worse than before. The Ukrainian leader reportedly stated, “I am not saying an escalation is not possible … [but] we don’t need this panic.”

Meanwhile, during the telephonic conversation with French President Macron, which lasted an hour approximately, Putin argued that the US and NATO are not taking into account Russia’s “fundamental concerns” of security and NATO expansion. So far, Washington and European Capitals are in unison towards rejecting Russia’s demands. In addition, Putin has reiterated that Russia’s key concern has been ignored. The Kremlin leader has argued that no one should be allowed to “strengthen their security” at others’ expense. Moreover, he has promised to “carefully study” US and NATO responses as Russia continues its dialogue with France.

It is pertinent to note that NATO, also known as the North Atlantic Alliance, is an “intergovernmental military alliance” between 27 European countries, 2 North American countries, and 1 Eurasian country. This alliance strives to uphold the North Atlantic Treaty signed in April of 1949. According to NATO, its “purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means”. Politically speaking, NATO focuses on promoting democratic values and provides opportunities to its member states to consult and/or cooperate on security-related issues. Meanwhile, Militarily it allows the member states to reach a peaceful resolution of disputes. According to NATO, “If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations”.

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In addition, Russia’s Vladimir Putin has called for “legally binding security guarantees” from the US and NATO forces, threatening retaliation if demands go unmet. Putin has reportedly reiterated that NATO expansion is not acceptable. Russian authorities have also, demanded a withdrawal of Western forces from the region citing that they are a threat to Russia’s security.

Telephone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron https://t.co/5Mfqqlk3iA

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 28, 2022

According to a website dedicated to events surrounding Russian diplomacy, practical aspects of the bilateral cooperation between France and Russia were discussed, with both Presidents agreeing to “stay in close communication”.

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Furthermore, the Biden administration hopes to set in motion a “preventative diplomacy” which may help to stall a possible war. The US has also warned that it will impose sanctions against Russia forcing its economy to cripple if it chooses to attack Ukraine. Following this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented that harming Russia’s financial system would be synonymous with severing diplomatic ties with the state.

Lavrov further stated that Russia is willing to hold a bilateral meeting with Ukraine’s government but will not participate in a trilateral meeting under the surveillance of President Joe Biden, as requested by President Zelensky. However, Zelensky rejected the notion of meeting in Russia following which Joe Biden and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, have agreed that they will work in unison to promote energy security across Europe.

According to The Guardian, the Russian FM suggested that Russia is not looking to initiate the war however, it will not allow “interests to be rudely trampled, to be ignored”.

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