European Union responds to Kremlin's "security proposals" to U.S., NATO

20.12.2021 11:40

Ukrinform

Tensions on the borders of Ukraine, the situation on the Belarusian border, and the energy crisis must be considered in combination. Such actions reflect the Kremlin's will to change the framework conditions for European security excluding the Europeans from such discussions, but the EU remains confident that the United States will not fall into the trap of Russia's "security proposals."

According to Ukrinform, this was stated by EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a blog published by the press office of the European External Action Service.

"We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We cannot exclude Russia’s desire to use this crisis as leverage for its declared purpose to reshape the security framework in Europe, also excluding the Europeans from the discussions. But we know that our American allies will not fall into this trap," Borrell wrote.

He noted that no discussions on European security can take place without the European Union.

“Russia's Foreign Ministry this Friday released a draft proposal on security guarantees between Russia and the US as well as to European members of NATO. It is clear that the EU must be an integral part of such discussions. The Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter have offered us key principles around which to build European security for the past 50 years. The OSCE, in particular, offers mechanisms and rules, which remain cornerstones of any engagement with Russia,” the EU High Representative said.

He noted that diplomacy always brings better results when it is coordinated with like-minded partners. That is why the EU is in constant and close contact with the United States and other countries sharing the same beliefs.

In this context, Borrell recalled the recent decision of the Group of Seven foreign ministers to issue a united message of support for Ukraine and to deter further aggressive actions by Russia.

As reported, on December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a draft of an agreement sought to be signed with the United States and NATO on "security guarantees," which de facto put forward an ultimatum to ensure that NATO does not expand eastwards and that the Allies, including the United States, abandon their existing security policies. In case the West refuses to accept such proposals, the Kremlin authorities publicly threaten to take measures of "military and military-technical nature."