Alleged NATO, US responses to Russia’s security demands call for removal of troops from Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine
In the document, the US government expresses concerns over the deployment of Russian troops in Crimea and on Ukraine’s border, as well as Russia’s contravention of its commitments under the Bucharest Memorandum to “respect the independence and sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine.” Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Leaked documents allegedly representing NATO and United States’ responses to Russia’s proposals and requests on security guarantees include calls for removing Russian occupying forces from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, a publication by the Spanish daily El Pais shows.
The newspaper published two confidential documents on Wednesday, with the material allegedly showing responses from the alliance and the US to Russia’s proposed agreements on security guarantees, as put forward on December 17.
The alleged response of NATO reads that Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova “where they are deployed without host-nation consent” for European security.
The document also emphasises that all states should respect and adhere to the principles of “sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of states and refrain from threat and use of force.”
NATO also reaffirms its commitment to an open-door policy in the response, adding all states must respect the right of other states to decide their own future and foreign policy “free from outside interference.”
It also stresses the importance of all parties’ constructive engagement in various conflict resolution formats, including the Geneva International Discussions and the 5+2 talks.
The document also highlights that “the reversal of Russia’s military build-up in and around Ukraine will be essential for substantive progress,” adding that NATO does not seek confrontation but “we cannot and will not compromise on the principles upon which our alliance and security in Europe and North America rest.”
In the alleged US response to Russia, the documents highlight that the American government “continues to firmly support” NATO’s open-door policy, while considering the dialogue with Russia on various security issues through the Russia-US Strategic Stability Dialogue, the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE Permanent Council.
We are ready to consider arrangements or agreements with Russia on issues of bilateral concern, to include written, signed instruments, to address our respective security concerns,” the document reads.
In the document, the US government expresses concerns over the deployment of Russian troops in Crimea and on Ukraine’s border, as well as Russia’s contravention of its commitments under the Bucharest Memorandum to “respect the independence and sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine.”
The supposed response from Washington further adds US and NATO allies have concerns over “Russia’s efforts to diversify and expand its nuclear stockpile and non-strategic nuclear weapons near NATO allies’ borders.”
The US underscores its support for the improvement of Euro-Atlantic security, adding “a dialogue on matters of concern has the potential to produce meaningful outcomes.”
On January 27, following the passing on the response to Moscow, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated three main areas where NATO sees “room for progress,” which are NATO-Russia relations, European security and risk reduction, transparency, and arms control.
The Russian Foreign Ministry put forward two proposals on ‘security guarantees’ between Russia, the US and NATO on December 17, which include restrictions on troop, ship, and aircraft deployments for both NATO and Russia, as well limits to the deployment of intermediate and short-range missiles abroad.
On December 10 Russia released a statement demanding NATO member states rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's goal of becoming members of the alliance.