Alexander Marrow and Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters). Russia sent Friday its strongest signal yet that it was open to engaging with U.S. security plans and reiterated that no war is in the offing.

If it is dependent on Russia, there will never be war. We do not want wars. However, we will not allow our interests to being rudely trampled on or ignored,” Sergei Lavrov (Foreign Minister) said to Russian radio stations during an interview.

Russia has massed tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border as it presses demands https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-sees-some-room-dialogue-after-us-security-response-2022-01-27 for a redrawing of post-Cold War security arrangements in Europe.

United States and allies warned Vladimir Putin, President of Russia that Russia would face harsh economic sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

Lavrov claimed that the West is ignoring Russia’s interest, but the United States and NATO submitted at least “something”, in writing responses to Russia’s proposal on Wednesday.

Both have indicated that they will engage Moscow to discuss arms control measures and confidence-building. However, they have not agreed to accept other demands such as that Ukraine should never join NATO.

Lavrov stated that he expects to see Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary Of State, again within the next few weeks.

Without providing details, he stated that U.S. counterproposals were more effective than NATO’s. Russia had begun to study them, and Putin was going to decide what response to give.

Moscow’s comments on Ukraine were conciliatory in their handling of the crisis. The situation has escalated to one of the most tense East-West conflict since the Cold War ended over three decades ago.

Alexander Lukashenko from Belarus is a close friend of Russia and said that Russia had no intention to start war.

French President Emmanuel Macron had been scheduled to talk by telephone with Putin Friday.

Jean-Yves Le Drian (French Foreign Minister) said, “It’s up to Vladimir Putin whether he wants consultations and confrontation.” He asked Jean-Yves Le Drian if the Russian leader would like to be a “destabilizing force” or seek de-escalation.

The Kremlin stated that it didn’t rule out the possibility of Putin providing some Russian evaluations of Western reactions to their proposals in the course and discussion.