As though a self-identified nuclear alliance which reserves the right to the first use of nuclear weapons, which has 70 members and partners (120 in all if the collective partnership with the African Union is factored in) on six continents, including eight members and as many partners which have land and sea borders with Russia, and that has waged unprovoked wars on three continents will instantaneously and miraculously transform itself into a reliable “security partner” – perhaps on the occasion of a star appearing over Bethlehem.
The very Russia it was established, is being maintained and has expanded to contain and confront.
If the 18th century Russian fabulist Krylov could return to life he might be commissioned to compose a tale in which the clever fox convinces sheep that the wolf has been transmogrified into one of them, no longer fitted with fangs and claws, desiring only to graze on weeds and shrubs: with which consequences it’s not hard to imagine.
The following excerpts are from this morning’s TASS:
Russia calls on US to stop NATO eastward expansion in draft security treaty
Russian Foreign Ministry published a draft agreement on guarantees of security between Russia and the United States Friday. The document includes eight articles and covers the main aspects of mutual guarantees of security between Moscow and Washington.
The document reflects the calls, repeatedly voiced by Moscow in the past, and offers a solution to the accumulated problems and threats, including those that emerged after Washington withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
NATO eastward expansion
“The United States of America shall take measures to prevent further eastward expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and deny accession to the Alliance to the former USSR republics,” the treaty says.
Besides, the Russian draft stipulates US’ obligation not to establish military bases in former Soviet states that are not NATO members, not to use their infrastructure to carry out any military activity, and not to develop bilateral military cooperation with them.
NATO keep putting forward ultimatums against Russia – senior diplomat
US and NATO keep putting forward ultimatums in response to Moscow’s proposals on security guarantees, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told a briefing on Friday.
“Of course, we saw the NATO statement released late last night. There is nothing new, except the statement that relevant proposals have been examined, and then the same argument and position which we have been listening to for many years,” the diplomat said responding to a question from TASS.
In this regard, Ryabkov advised his NATO colleagues to “abandon their own cliches,” their accustomed behavioral patterns and “misconceived paternalism.”
“We were told yesterday that it is up to Moscow, whether relations will look up. So, it is for NATO and, in particular, for the US. If Washington is not able to choose on its own and agree to the negotiations we propose, then let them consult further. We have learned that the strongest side of the alliance is its unity. Let’s see where the lowest common point is and who dictates it in the North Atlantic Alliance, budling [sic] the US stance,” he concluded.
West not showing readiness for talks with Russia on security guarantees – senior diplomat
The US and NATO haven’t shown readiness to hold talks with Russia on security guarantees, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said at a news conference on Friday.
“We don’t have any grounds yet to say they (the US and NATO – TASS) are ready to start talks, which we are proposing to start literally tomorrow because the issue is pressing,” the diplomat said.
Ryabkov didn’t rule out the West may try to delay the talks.
“On the other coast, they excel at using tactics, procedures and processes the way they need, so that if they aren’t comfortable, substantive work doesn’t take place or gets delayed so that everything eventually comes to nothing,” he said. “It’s a risk.”
The diplomat said it’s very hard to agree on things when the interests of Russia, on the one hand, and the US and NATO, on the other hand, are as different as they are at the moment.
But “the responsibility of the politicians that deal with European security on the other side, I hope, is sufficient to make the only right choice and agree to the Russian proposals,” he said.
Russia on Friday released draft agreements titled the Treaty Between the US and Russia on Security Guarantees and On Measures to Ensure the Security of the Russian Federation and Member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The proposals were handed over to a US representative at a meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry on December 15.
