U.S. Delivers Response to Russian Demands Amid Ukraine Crisis
Proposals build on U.S. offers made to Moscow, but stop short of meeting demands on Ukraine, NATO
U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan delivered U.S. proposal on the Ukraine issue to a Russian diplomat.PHOTO: ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/ASSOCIATED PRESS
By
William Mauldin Follow
and
Michael R. Gordon Follow
Updated Jan. 26, 2022 1:11 pm ET
The U.S. gave Russia written proposals to constrain military competition and reduce the risk of war in Europe, seeking to address Moscow’s demands and avert what Western officials say may be a looming Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. proposals, requested by Russia, were delivered Wednesday to the Russian Foreign Ministry by the U.S. ambassador in Moscow, John Sullivan, according to both governments.
U.S. officials have said in earlier negotiations that Washington and its allies are prepared to scale back military exercises on a reciprocal basis and to explore ideas on ways to limit intermediate-range missiles in Europe. The new U.S. proposals expand on that approach but don’t meet Russian demands that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization not allow Ukraine in the alliance and cut military ties with the country, according to people familiar with the matter.
The latest diplomatic efforts leave Russian President Vladimir Putin with the choice on whether to reject the U.S. proposals outright and pursue military action or seek further negotiations on security issues.
“It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters. “We’re ready either way.”
Russia’s demands are aimed at rewriting post-Cold War security arrangements in Europe and carving out a new sphere of influence for Moscow. The large buildup of Russian forces around Ukraine in recent months has created a crisis and forced the U.S. and NATO to address what Moscow sees as decades-old security grievances.
The Kremlin has called for an end to the enlargement of NATO to the east, for ending the alliance’s military to former Soviet republics like Ukraine and for rolling back allied military deployments on NATO’s eastern flank, closest to Russia.
Mr. Blinken said the U.S. offers are an effort to find common ground between Russia and western nations on security, without compromising on U.S. priorities and core NATO principles allowing expansion of the alliance’s membership. The document was developed in cooperation with U.S. allies and was given to those governments and congressional leaders before it was provided to Moscow, he said.
The U.S. document follows two earlier Russian proposals: Moscow’s own draft treaty with the U.S. on security in Europe and a separate draft accord with NATO. Russia publicized those draft agreements, posting them on the foreign ministry website in December, and has demanded that the U.S. provide a response in writing.
Exc. |
