A NATO official told Europe Time that Nato continues to follow the situation very closely and calls on Russia to de-escalate and reduce tensions.
We are ready for meaningful dialogue with Russia. We reiterate our long-standing invitation to Russia for a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in the near future. We have seen the Russian proposals, and all 30 NATO Allies agreed to a joint statement on December 16th that addresses them: “We are aware of Russia’s recent European security proposals. We are clear that any dialogue with Russia would have to proceed on the basis of reciprocity, address NATO’s concerns about Russia’s actions, be based on the core principles and foundational documents of European security, and take place in consultation with NATO’s European partners. Should Russia take concrete steps to reduce tensions, we are prepared to work on strengthening confidence-building measures. The OSCE is also a relevant platform. "
At a press conference with the Bulgarian Prime Minister earlier today, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also spoke on this: "We have received Russia's recent proposals." We are clear that any dialogue with Russia would also need to address NATO's concerns about Russia's actions, be based on the core principles and documents of European security, and take place in consultation with NATO's European partners, such as Ukraine. NATO Allies have also made clear that should Russia take concrete steps to reduce tensions, we are prepared to work on strengthening confidence-building measures. "
We continue our strong political and practical support for Ukraine, and we also continue our consultations. President Zelensky visited NATO on December 16 for talks, and US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried also briefed the Council on her recent meetings in Kyiv and Moscow. We continue to follow the situation very closely and call on Russia to de-escalate and reduce tensions. We continue to follow the situation very closely, and call on Russia to de-escalate and reduce tensions, "a NATO official told Europe Time.
Russia sets out tough demands for a security pact with NATO. Russia has published draft security demands that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back the alliance’s military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.
