Medvedev: We will not reveal Russia's plans without US' guarantees
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, says nobody is looking to start the war, but there are people making money by whipping up tensions.
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Medvedev: We will not reveal Russia's plans without Washington's security guarantees.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, announced on Thursday that Washington's refusal to provide security guarantees to Russia will greatly complicate the situation, noting that in the event, Russia's plans will not be disclosed.
"Firstly, such plans are never disclosed," Medvedev said about a possible Russian response to the US refusal. Secondly, these decisions are made by the president, who is the supreme commander. Of course, this [the refusal] will significantly complicate the situation," he added.
Medvedev mentioned that Ukraine's NATO promises not to advance to Russia's borders have not been fulfilled, because the alliance is already moving toward them, and the red lines are very close.
“They [Ukraine] vowed not to advance NATO, they didn’t keep their promise, they say: 'We didn’t sign anything.' But we know when and to whom such promises, such assurances were given. Did they promise not to advance, for example, to the territory of the former Soviet Union? They promised it in private conversations. They did not fulfill the promise. And now they are already moving right onto our borders," Medvedev said.
"And the point is not even that we are talking about, for example, Ukraine or some other country... but that this is a real threat to the national security of our country. And these red lines that the president of the country spoke about are very, very close," he said.
He maintained that nobody is looking to start the war, but there are "people making who are money by whipping up tensions."
Weapons could still be deployed
Medvedev pointed out that even if Ukraine does not join NATO, weapons could still be deployed on its territory under the guise of bilateral agreements with one of the alliance's members.
“The point is not even, for example, to guarantee against the non-advancement of NATO, although this is very important. The point is to be given security guarantees, in my opinion, of a different type. It is possible not to invite Ukraine to NATO at all. Moreover, they periodically whisper in our ear that Ukraine will not join NATO in the coming years," Medvedev said.
"It is possible, based on bilateral agreements, to deploy... missiles in Ukraine or any other country. And say: 'No, no, we are not NATO, this is, let's say, an agreement between the United States and Ukraine, the UK and Ukraine, therefore, this has nothing to do with NATO, these are our bilateral relations.' But this is the same for us," he said.
Read more: Strategic Self-Deception
The US could hinder arms control talks
The Russian Deputy Chairman warned that if the US does not provide Russia with strategic security guarantees, extending such agreements, such as limiting strategic offensive arms, will be extremely difficult.
The official noted that Russia has always had a negative attitude to withdrawing from various agreements, including arms control treaties.
"But, if such events take place, let us face it, this is a bad background for continuing negotiations on this topic, for extending any agreements. And in this sense, it is impossible to exclude any development of events from the point of view of contract law ... The Americans have withdrawn from a large number of treaties lately. We noted this with regret, but what can we do? ... Naturally, under such conditions, the background for continuing negotiations, for example, on limiting strategic offensive arms, will be extremely difficult," Medvedev said.
US response to Russia
Yesterday, Moscow has received the US response to its proposals on security guarantees, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced.
"On January 26, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander V. Grushko received US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan at his request," the Ministry said.
During their meeting, Sullivan gave the Russian diplomat the written response of the United States to the draft bilateral treaty on security guarantees submitted by Moscow, the Ministry added.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that Sullivan delivered a written response to Russia's security proposals in Moscow.
According to the top diplomat, the US response made clear Washington had clear core principles it is committed to upholding, including Ukrainian integrity.
The response also includes concerns from the US and its allies regarding Russia's actions, and it contains US proposals where the two parties could find common ground.
Blinken highlighted that the United States "fully coordinated" with its European allies and Ukraine on its responses, noting that the West was ready to cooperate with Russia if the latter "chooses de-escalation in Ukraine."
