US, NATO Respond to Russian Proposals, Offering Pathways for De-Escalation

LOCAL NEWS

• U.S. provided Russia written proposals soften military competition in Europe, countering demands from Moscow with ideas for further discussion if Russia is open to dialogue.
  • US officials said the response could lead to discussions on ways to avoid confrontations in the Black Sea and missile-related inspections on each side.
  • US said they expand on a recent diplomatic approach by the U.S. and its allies but don't meet Russia's core demands: Non-Nato accession for Ukraine, and guarantees against NATO expansion.
  • Polish officials have said they’re open to missile inspections by Russia and the US opened the door to constraints on military exercises. "It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond," U.S. Sec of State Blinken said. "We're ready either way." Lavrov & Blinken are expected to speak again in the coming days - WSJ, Tass
• NATO’s Stoltenberg sent a separate letter on Wednesday covering most of the same issues as the U.S. document.
  • He said responding to Russia in writing allowed NATO members to be "more specific and concrete" in their proposals. Russia’s Medvedev says NATO has failed to keep its promises on non-expansion and are now encroaching on Russia’s borders
• Moscow accuses Kiev of violating the ceasefire in Donbass and calls for direct dialogue with Donetsk and Luhansk. “There is an undisguised sabotage of the Minsk negotiation process by Ukraine."
  • Russia said representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk brought facts of Ukraine's violation of the agreements on strengthening the ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons.
  • Also, Kiev did not provide its position on the draft road map for a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict
• Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday that the U.K. could support NATO countries by increasing its forces to act as a deterrent to any further Russian aggression