and. NATO agreed to hold a “normal” meeting with the Russian Federation, but questions remain about the goals set for themselves by their Western colleagues, Dmitry Belik, a member of the State Duma’s international affairs committee, told RIA Novosti.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is planning to organize a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on January 12, 2022, the dpa agency reported, citing an unnamed spokesman for the North Atlantic alliance.
“The dialogue between Russia and NATO in recent years could not be called meaningful, but after the meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States” unexpectedly “the Alliance agreed to hold a normal working meeting,” Belik stressed.
The politician noted important topics for the Russian side – these are, first of all, security guarantees, but it remains to be seen what goals the Western partners are setting for themselves.
“Yes, there is a big question – what goals are set by our Western colleagues. It is important for us to speak out the“ red lines ”, to obtain legal guarantees for NATO’s non-proliferation to the east. our diplomats have extensive experience in dealing with such difficult partners, we will be able to show the necessary persistence and consistency, “he stated.
On December 17, Russia published draft agreements with the United States and agreements with NATO member states, which include, in particular, provisions on mutual guarantees of security in Europe, on the non-deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles in each other’s reach and on refusal from further NATO expansion. including at the expense of the former republics of the USSR. As Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA Novosti, if NATO and the United States do not respond to Russia’s demand for security guarantees, this could lead to a new round of confrontation.