Date set for critical talks between Russia and US
Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made important statements to the Russian media on the issues on the agenda. Minister Lavrov recently announced that negotiations on the draft security agreement submitted by his country to the United States and NATOwill begin in early 2022. Lavrov stated that they started initiatives after the draft was presented by Russia to both the parties and the public. As a result of this meeting, an agreement was reached on the organization of future work. It was agreed between The Russian and US representatives that the first round of bilateral talks should be early next year. The names of the participants in the negotiations have been determined. These names are suitable for both sides.” “STOLTENBERG CANNOT REPLACE HIS DUTIES”
Responding to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statements against Russia and his remarks that no one can break the Washington agreement by alluding to Russia, Lavrov said, “Stoltenberg is constantly making inappropriate statements. Stoltenberg will leave soon, his term ends at the end of the year. We are not a member of NATO and we are not the signatories of the NATO treaty. However, we are the signatories of a broader regional Euro-Atlantic document that includes the principle of indivisible security. If Stoltenberg thinks NATO members have the right to violate the principle contained in highly approved documents, it’s time for him to really move on to another job. Because Stoltenberg cannot fulfill his duties.”
“NATO’S ACCEPTANCE OF GEORGIA VIOLATES OUR RED LINE”
In parallel with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Ukraine’s admission to NATO would violate his country’s red lines, Lavrov said, “Russia is sincerely interested in preventing the negative development of events according to the scenarios drawn by some NATO strategists. In our recent meeting with the authorities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, we did not discuss the possibility of Georgia’s admission to NATO. Our position on NATO enlargement is well known. If NATO continues to move closer to the borders of the Russian Federation, our red lines will be crossed.”
