In an increasingly “volatile and tense” global diplomatic climate, Russia
needs to accept legally binding security guarantees from the US-led NATO
military bloc. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a congratulatory statement published for Diplomatic Workers' Day, Putin
also tasked Foreign Ministry employees with pursuing comprehensive
guarantees of Russia's security from NATO.
The Russian president noted the growing tensions between Russia and the
West, noting that additional and persistent efforts are needed from his
government to ensure strategic stability and counter emerging threats and
challenges.
"This especially includes our efforts to receive comprehensive and legally
binding national security guarantees from the US and its NATO allies," the
statement said.
The letter, which was directed by Russia's head of state to all the
country's diplomats, also praised the foreign ministry's glorious record of
loyal service to the Motherland.
Russia's diplomacy has been put to the test in recent months, in a climate
of difficult relations with the US and other NATO members.
In December last year, Russia's Foreign Ministry published two draft
agreements, one with the US and one with NATO, with a long list of Moscow's
security demands.
These included the end of NATO's eastward expansion, the withdrawal of the
alliance's weapons to 1997 positions, and the discontinuation of attack
weapons near Russia's borders.
Last month, Moscow received replies from Washington and Brussels. According
to Russia, the response ignored almost all of its demands related to
national security.
The US has repeatedly stated that it would be willing to strike a deal with
Russia, but has dubbed some of Moscow's ideas a "non-starter," noting that
America would never agree to bar Ukraine from joining NATO, but would
consider various reciprocal agreements. about missiles and the transparency
of troop movements.
Speaking at the end of January, US State Department spokesman Ned Price
revealed that the US would not make any concessions, but would agree to
joint bilateral steps.
“They have to have a reciprocal basis, which means that Russia also has to
do something that will help improve our security – our security posture,” he
said.