Lavrov: We are waiting for Washington and NATO’s response on security guarantees

Moscow (ST): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirmed that his country is ready for any development in events and is awaiting a written response from Washington and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding security guarantees.

At a press conference in Moscow today on the results of the work of Russian diplomacy during 2021, Lavrov considered that the approach of the United States and NATO is openly directed against Russia and China, as they do not stop attempts to bring other countries into the alliance, such as Ukraine, noting that Moscow presented Washington and NATO members with a written package from security guarantees to prevent any future expansion of NATO to the east and the deployment of missile systems near the Russian borders.

Lavrov indicated that relations with the West are getting worse and that Russia is waiting for a detailed written response from Western countries to its proposals regarding security guarantees because the Western partners have previously violated their verbal promises about ensuring security and not expanding NATO.

Lavrov indicated that Moscow wants a solution to the outstanding issues with the West on the basis of parity, respect and a balance of interests, pointing out that the West’s response to the Russian initiative often depends on the position of the United States and that Moscow will not wait for this response forever and will continue to work to be prepared for any scenario.

K.Q.