Russia on Friday sent its strongest signal so far that it is willing to engage with US security proposals and reiterated that it does not want war over Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian radio stations in an interview that Russia don’t want war. Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border as it presses demands for a redrawing of post-Cold War security arrangements in Europe.
The United States and its allies have warned President Vladimir Putin that Russia will face swift and tough economic sanctions if he attacks Ukraine.
Lavrov said the West was ignoring Russia’s interests but there was at least something in written responses submitted by the United States and NATO on Wednesday to Russia’s proposals.
While the responses have not been made public, both have stated they are willing to engage with Moscow on arms control and confidence-building measures. They have ruled out acceding to other demands, including that Ukraine must never be allowed to join NATO.
Lavrov said he expected to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken again in the next couple of weeks.
He said, without giving details, that the US counter-proposals were better than NATO’s. Russia was studying them and Putin would decide how to respond.
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