Vladimir Putin says he still believes in a “solution” through negotiations, but his intentions are not clear

Admitting failure but retaining the confidence to achieve “Solution”. Vladimir Putin emerges from this book after Westerners refused to accept Russian “security proposals”. European Security Order. “We are carefully analyzing the written responses from the United States and NATO, but it is already clear that Russia’s major concerns have been ignored.”, Underlined by Russian President, Tuesday 1^{There is} February, after a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Mr. Putin made a similar observation a few days ago. During a telephone interview with Emmanuel Macron, But he has not yet spoken publicly. The Kremlin’s word, however, is being explored as the diplomatic crisis lingers and the threat of military expansion hangs in the balance.

Vladimir Putin did not announce his intentions or set a deadline for a Russian response. But he said he was still optimistic and carefully avoided knocking on the door of discussions “A solution that satisfies the interests and security of all – Europe, Ukraine, Russia”. It would be an exaggeration to say that the tone of the Russian president is harmonious. Mr. Putin once again blamed the West for the tensions “Cheated” Russia and search “Damn” Inside “Application Ukraine as a tool to drag us into armed conflict “.

But there is a big difference with the news reported in recent weeks by Russian negotiators. They continue to warn of the need to get the job done as soon as possible and, above all, prevent the Western denial at the most controversial points from leading to the end of the debate.

Rejection of Russian claims

These Russian demands were put on paper in the form of two draft agreements submitted to NATO and the United States in December 2021. Their most important points for the West were considered by Moscow to be the most necessary: ​​a ban on NATO’s future expansion, including Ukraine; Withdrawal of Coalition forces from countries that have been members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since 1997; Prohibition of military cooperation with former Soviet Union members who are not members of NATO.

According to NATO, Mr. Putin, for the first time on Tuesday, linked the claim with the situation in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014: “Imagine Ukraine being a member of NATO, which would launch a military operation to reclaim Crimean territory from Russian territory., he said. And what about us? Shall we go to war with NATO? ⁇

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