US Deputy Sec to Russian Deputy FM: US supports freedom of sovereign nations to choose alliances
Sherman underscored during the meeting with Ryabkov that ‘discussion of certain subjects would be reserved’ for the NATO-Russia council and the OSCE Permanent Council meetings. Photo: AFP.
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US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has emphasised the US’ ‘commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the freedom of sovereign nations to choose their own alliances’ during a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on January 9 in Geneva, the US State Department spokesperson’s office reports.
The meeting between Sherman and Ryabkov took place prior to the Russia-US Strategic Stability Dialogue (SSD) scheduled for January 10.
The Deputy Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister discussed bilateral topics both sides would address during the extraordinary meeting of the SSD,” the US State Department spokesperson’s office states.
The US intends ‘not to discuss European security without their European allies and partners,’ however, the US State Department reports that ‘certain bilateral issues’ will be discussed with Russia at the SSD.
A NATO-Russia council meeting is scheduled on January 12 in Brussels and the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on January 13 following the SSD.
Sherman underscored during the meeting with Ryabkov that ‘discussion of certain subjects would be reserved’ for the upcoming events.
Ryabkov stated that the meeting with Sherman was ‘fantastic,’ adding that the conversation was ‘businesslike but difficult,’ Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports.
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 while 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.
Sherman reiterated America’s unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders during a phone conversation with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani on January 5.