Kremlin said the security talks with the US amid tensions over Ukraine have given little reason for optimism, adding that Russia would wait for the outcome of other meetings before deciding whether it’s worth continuing negotiations.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday the security talks with the US amid tensions over Ukraine have given little reason for optimism, adding that Russia would wait for the outcome of other meetings this week before deciding whether it’s worth to continue negotiations.
The leader of the US delegation at Monday’s talks briefed allies in Brussels about the session and stressed the security crisis was “caused by Russia” and its troop buildup near Ukraine.
At the Geneva talks, Moscow insisted on guarantees to halt NATO’s eastward expansion and even roll back the military alliance’s deployments in Eastern Europe, while Washington firmly rejected the demands as a nonstarter.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that while the talks were “open, comprehensive and direct,” he emphasised that it’s the result that matters.
“So far, let’s say we see no significant reason for optimism,” he said in a conference call with reporters.
The Geneva talks are being followed by a round of Russia-NATO talks in Brussels on Wednesday and a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna on Thursday.
“There are still several rounds (of talks) ahead of us, which will allow us to work out a clearer understanding, a clearer picture of where we stand with the Americans,” Peskov said, adding that those discussions would determine whether it would make sense to continue the negotiations.
He noted that Russia isn’t setting any deadlines for the talks but wouldn’t accept dragging them out.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasised that Moscow expects a quick Washington’s answer to its demands.
The negotiations were held amid soaring tensions over a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine’s border that has stoked fears of a possible invasion.
Russia has denied it has plans to attack its neighbour but pressed for legal guarantees that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, as well as roll back the alliance’s military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.
