Russia proposes it could "legally formalise" pledge not to attack EU
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said that Moscow is ready to provide the European Union with "legal" commitments not to attack it.
Source: Ryabkov's remarks were quoted by the Russian outlet Kommersant, as reported by European Pravda
Details: According to Ryabkov, the European Union's belief in a possible attack by Russia is causing "concern".
"It is precisely under the pretext that Moscow is allegedly harbouring aggressive plans and intends to invade NATO states in the coming years that large-scale remilitarisation programmes have been launched in European capitals," the Russian deputy foreign minister believes.
"[Russia – ed.] is even ready to legally formalise this in the context of a potential settlement of the current crisis on the basis of the principle of equal and indivisible security," he added.
Background:
- Last week, the Reuters news agency, citing sources, published information showing that reports by US intelligence services allegedly continue to warn of Vladimir Putin's intentions to seize all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire.
- On 19 December, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin threatened Europe with a "large-scale armed conflict" in the event of a blockade of Kaliningrad Oblast.
- On 11 December, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned NATO member states that they are Russia's next target and called for immediate action.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!