Putin demands assurances that NATO will not expand eastwards from Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked US President Joe Biden for “guarantees” that NATO will not expand eastward in a two-hour conversation this afternoon, the Kremlin said.

“NATO is making dangerous attempts to use Ukrainian territory and develop its military capabilities on our borders, which is why Russia is seriously interested in securing safeguards that will preclude NATO enlargement,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Moscow described as “sincere and professional” the exchange of views between the two presidents who “taking into account their special responsibility for maintaining international security and stability (…) will continue the dialogue and the necessary contacts”.

Biden, according to a Kremlin statement, referred to “allegedly threatening moves by Russian troops near the border with Ukraine” and outlined the sanctions the United States and its allies are prepared to impose if the situation escalates. announcement.

For his part, Putin expressed “serious concern” about Kiev’s “provocative actions” in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Both presidents agreed that their countries’ co-operation was not satisfactory, and Putin suggested that Biden lift restrictions on the operation of their diplomatic missions. They also referred to their alliance during World War II and stressed that the sacrifices made then should not be forgotten and that relationship should serve as an example for building their contacts.

Biden and Putin finally expressed the hope that talks on Iran’s nuclear program, which resumed in Vienna in late November, would lead to a solution acceptable to all.

Source: AMPE