The Russian Foreign Ministry has defined the cessation of NATO expansion to the east as a key prerequisite for achieving an end to the war in Ukraine, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said today that this demand is a kind of test of the US's readiness to work to improve relations with Moscow.
“Practical steps are needed from the American side to eliminate the causes of the fundamental contradictions between us in the security sphere“, said Ryabkov, who is responsible for strategic armaments. “NATO expansion is at the top of this list. "Without solving this fundamental and deep problem, it is simply impossible to achieve a lasting solution to the conflict in the Euro-Atlantic region," he stressed.
Ryabkov added that the US must demonstrate "respect for Russia's fundamental interests."
The Russian leadership regularly points to the expansion of the military alliance and the possible accession of Ukraine to it as the main reason for launching the military invasion, DPA notes.
Ryabkov referred to a memorandum from December 2021, in which Moscow insists on stopping NATO expansion and withdrawing alliance forces from all countries that joined after 1997. According to him, this demand remains relevant today.
He added that the withdrawal of about 10,000 American troops from Eastern Europe could “contribute to the security of the entire continent“.
NATO, however, rejected such demands, viewing them as unacceptable ultimatums.
After the war began, Finland and Sweden joined the alliance, and additional forces were sent to strengthen security in the Baltic region.
Ryabkov also announced that a third meeting between Russia and the United States would be held in the near future, aimed at normalizing the activities of their embassies.