Russia’s draft security agreement, unpacked – EURACTIV.com

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In this week’s version: Russia’s security proposal to the West, the EU’s Ukrainian diplomacy, and the EU’s African military delegation to review Wagner’s ties.

Russia has issued a bold ultimatum to NATO and the West, but they seem to know that the answer is likely to be “no.”

Wednesday, Moscow Draft treaty The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried, visited the country and met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Less than 24 hours later, Russia sent Draft agreement NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (Jens Stoltenberg) on ​​the issue of ensuring national security. On the same day, in Brussels, Donfried and Stoltenberg The North Atlantic Council was informed of two Russian proposals.

in a statement Later that evening, the NATO ambassador stated that they “know Russia’s recent European security proposals” but made their request.

“We are very clear that any dialogue with Russia must be conducted on a reciprocal basis, to resolve NATO’s concerns about Russian operations, based on the core principles and basic documents of European security, and in consultation with NATO’s European partners,” they said .

This is not the final reaction, but the first reaction, as people can hear from NATO circles.

White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan said that the government is ready to discuss NATO concerns with Russian officials, but emphasized that Washington is committed to the “no you without you principle” in order to formulate policies that affect European allies.

A senior US official who asked not to be named told reporters that some Russian proposals have become part of the arms control agenda between Moscow and Washington. At the same time, other issues such as transparency and conflict elimination are related to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including Ukraine and Georgia.

According to him, Washington is considering involving every country whose interests are affected and will respond next week.

Moscow’s request goes further than the “red line” mentioned by Russian President Putin.

According to the draft proposal, NATO must obtain Moscow’s consent to deploy troops in Central and Eastern Europe, avoid “any military activities” in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, and stop NATO’s military operations at the same time. Conduct exercises near Russia.

The request for a written guarantee that Ukraine will not join has been rejected by the West. The West stated that Russia has no say in NATO’s expansion.

Another treaty with the United States will require the prohibition of sending US and Russian warships and aircraft to “areas where they can strike targets on each other’s territory,” such as the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea.

It also called for the prohibition of new deployments of US and Russian nuclear weapons on the territories of other countries-a repetition of Moscow’s long-standing call for the US to withdraw nuclear weapons from Europe.Very convenient, the proposed ban refers to new The deployment of nuclear missiles in border areas does not seem to include those that have already been deployed.

An interesting contradiction is a requirement listed in the proposal that NATO should comply with Helsinki Final ActThe NATO officials pointed out that under the bill, countries “have the right to join or not join the alliance treaty” and promised never to allow Ukraine to join the alliance.

Russia’s claim that NATO violated its post-unification commitments after NATO’s expansion is invalid, because Mikhail Gorbachev confirmed that stakeholders had never discussed this issue in the negotiations.

The first members of the former Warsaw Pact were accepted after consultations with Russia, and the NATO-Russia Council was established for the purpose of dialogue.

In addition, no one can support the claim that Russia is “siege” by looking at a map of the region. If you look at the number of troops on the eastern border of NATO, it is clear that those present will not pose a threat to Russia.

NATO diplomats say that a bold ultimatum will almost certainly be rejected by the United States and its allies. Submission will open the door to further demands.

Dmitry Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, pointed out that Russia’s public request on Friday indicated that the Kremlin believes that the West is unlikely to accept their request.

If so, what is their purpose?

“This logically means that Russia will have to single-handedly ensure its safety, most likely by using military technology. Say.

EU in the world

Ukraine’s response | In case you missed it, EU leaders agreed this week to coordinate with allies to impose sanctions on Russia in the event of further military aggression by Ukraine.

However, the problem remains Define what level of upgrade will trigger what kind of response And some people worry that if there is a mixed situation, this will open the door to any “sneak up” promises.

Sanctions loopholes | Western sanctions against the Alexander Lukashenko regime need to be better coordinated to fill the current loopholes. Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Zihanusskaya Tell EURACTIV Before this week’s important Eastern Partnership Summit.

Eastern Partners | As the tension between Ukraine and Russia reached its highest level in many years, EU leaders also held summits with their counterparts in the Eastern Partnership to reaffirm the strategic importance of the region.

But between Ukraine’s mediation attempts, the dream of membership, and the vacant seats in Belarus, no one in Brussels can Imagine that they will soon join the European Union.

At the same time, Georgia says Want “new elements” In the eastern partnership model, the country’s envoy to the EU told EURACTIV.

Defensive angle

Wagner Link | The EU will carry out Strategic review in early 2022 After reports that EU instructors may provide training for local forces in the Central African Republic controlled by Russian mercenary Wagner, the organization entered its military and civilian missions in Africa.

Abandoned ammunition | The destructive conflicts in Europe in the 20th century resulted in the dumping of thousands of tons of conventional and chemical munitions into European waters. Today, these corrosive weapons pose a threat to human health and marine economic activities. Now more than ever, These dumped ammunition must be cleared, Said MEP Anna Fotyga.

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In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev explained in detail why the country veto prevented North Macedonia from starting negotiations to join the EUProposes a solution to the problem, Including amendments to the country’s constitution.

‘Modern slavery’ | EU legislators condemned Serbia’s “modern slavery”, especially Report on forced labor China Linglong Tire Factory in Zrenjanin.

Eurasian Digest

Trading house | The European Commission said this week that if it finds evidence that Beijing is violating international trade rules, it may submit a trade dispute between China and Lithuania to the World Trade Organization (WTO). However, This process may take too long Bringing changes to Lithuania.

Olympic boycott, or not? | Europe’s political representation at the upcoming Beijing Olympics is divided-its stubbornness has won China Its first victory.