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Ukraine conflict: Kremlin sees Russia and the West in "completely opposite" positions

2022-01-17T02:54:22.737Z


The fronts between Russia and the West have hardened. Kremlin spokesman Peskov calls on NATO to respond to the country's demands - and claims that Ukraine will not be threatened with military action.


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Dmitry Peskov

Photo: SERGEI KARPUKHIN/ REUTERS

Despite the diplomatic crisis talks over the past few days over the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin believes that Russia and the West continue to have "completely opposite" positions. This is "disturbing," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with US broadcaster CNN that was broadcast on Sunday. The US government said it remains ready to seek a diplomatic solution, while vowing a "robust response" should Russia attack Ukraine.

On some points there is agreement between Russia and the West, said Peskov. However, there are still "completely opposite" positions on questions of principle. When asked about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, Peskov said in the CNN interview that it would be "crazy." “No one threatens anyone with military action. That would be crazy.” If NATO does not respond to NATO's demands, Russia is “ready to take retaliatory measures,” Peskov said.

In view of a massive Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine, the West fears that Russia is currently preparing an invasion of the neighboring country after annexing Crimea in 2014.

The Kremlin categorically denies this.

At the same time, he is demanding agreements from the USA and NATO that would ban the eastward expansion of NATO and the establishment of US military bases in countries in the former Soviet sphere of influence.

Russia initially declined further talks

Several diplomatic crisis talks in the past few days were intended to ease tensions, but failed to bring about a breakthrough.

Russia recently rejected further talks with the West for the time being.

The US government has accused Russia of actively working to create a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.

The USA announced that they would provide information about their "next steps" in the coming days.

"We are in close contact with our allies and partners, including the Ukrainians," President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

Washington is prepared for all scenarios.

If Russia is interested in a diplomatic solution, the US will go down this path "in step with our allies."

But Washington is also ready for a “robust response” if the conflict escalates further and Russia invades Ukraine, Sullivan said.

With a view to further negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said that Russia "does not want a process just for the sake of the process".

Moscow doesn't want to keep discussing differences of opinion, but demands a willingness to "take our concerns into account."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meanwhile called on Russia to de-escalate again.

Russia is the "aggressor" in the conflict, he said on Canadian television.

But NATO is open to further talks with Russia.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) wants to mediate in the charged situation and will travel to Ukraine on Monday and then to Russia on Tuesday.

cop/AFP

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2022-01-17

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