A senior Russian diplomat, Sergei Ryabkov, has cautioned that the upcoming talks with the US will be “difficult” as both nations attempt to address the growing tensions over Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine. Ryabkov’s warning comes ahead of a series of meetings in three European cities, starting with a working dinner on Sunday and continuing through the week. The meetings are aimed at rekindling dialogue between the two nations, but Ryabkov made it clear that no easy solutions can be expected. “They cannot be easy. They will be business-like. I think we won’t waste our time tomorrow,” he told reporters.
The tensions between Russia and the US stem from Russia’s deployment of an estimated 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine, with concerns rising about a potential broader Russian military incursion in the country. Russia has laid out a list of demands, including seeking guarantees that NATO will not seek to expand further eastward to countries like Ukraine or Georgia. The US, on the other hand, has expressed openness to discussing some of Russia’s proposals, including curtailing the deployment of offensive missiles in Ukraine and putting limits on American and NATO military exercises in Eastern Europe.
Sergei Ryabkov (Via Sergei Ryabkov/Twitter)
However, US officials have also warned that a Russian move deeper into Ukraine could lead to NATO reinforcing its positions along its eastern flank, potentially running counter to Moscow’s interests in the long run. The situation remains complex and fragile, with many experts warning that the period ahead could be tense and uncertain. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has made it clear that his government will not compromise on its position, with Ryabkov stating that “deviating from our approaches simply is not possible.”
