By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Tom Balmforth

MOSCOW (Reuters), Russia said Friday that it demanded a legally binding guarantee from NATO that it would cease military activities in Eastern Europe or Ukraine. This is part of a list of security assurances it hopes to reach agreements with the West.

Moscow claims that the demands are an indispensable requirement to lower tensions across Europe and ease a Ukraine crisis. Western countries accuse Russia of being ready for an attack, something it denies.

The elements contained in them, such as a Russian veto effective on NATO membership to Ukraine, were also excluded from the West’s ruling.

Sergei Ryabkov, the Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that Russia and West should start with a fresh slate when rebuilding their relations.

He stated that the US and NATO have been aggressively increasing security in recent years. This is unacceptable and dangerous.

Washington and NATO should stop all hostile acts against Ukraine, which include unscheduled maneuvers and manoeuvres by military planes and ships, as well as regular, ongoing, non-scheduled drills and exercises. They also need to stop military developments in the Ukrainian territories.

Sam Greene (King’s College London professor of Russian Politics) stated on Twitter (NYSE 🙂 President Vladimir Putin “drawing an outline around the post Soviet space and planting a sign that says ‘Keep out’

He stated, “It is not intended to be a contract: it is a declaration.” “But that doesn’t necessarily mean this is a prelude to war. It’s a justification for keeping Moscow’s hair-trigger stance, in order to keep Washington and others off balance. Is it possible to maintain this stance for so long before its effectiveness diminishes?

CALL FOR TALKS

Ryabkov claimed that Russia is not prepared to accept the current state of affairs. Ryabkov asked the United States for a quick response and to seriously consider his suggestions.

Ryabkov stated that Russia is ready to begin talks on Saturday with Geneva as a potential venue and that the Russian negotiating team was available.

Jen Psaki White House Press Secretary stated that America had received the proposals and was now speaking to its allies.

Psaki stated to reporters that there will not be any talks about European security without the support of our European allies or partners.

Russian news agency TASS said Ryabkov later stated that Moscow was greatly disappointed by US and NATO signals.

Russia submitted its proposal to the United States this week, amid rising tensions due to a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine.

The government claims it’s responding to threats to its security due to Ukraine’s closer relations to NATO and its aspirations for membership of the alliance. However, there are no immediate prospects that Ukraine will be allowed to join.

Russian proposals were presented in two documents: a draft agreement to NATO countries and an draft treaty with America, both of which were published by the foreign minister.

These are some of the most important aspects of these documents

– To stop further NATO expansion, and Ukraine joining the alliance

– To not deploy more troops and arms outside the same countries they were before May 1997 (before Eastern European countries joined NATO) – except with Russia’s consent and NATO members

– To cease all NATO military operations in Ukraine, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, as well as Central Asia.

– Do not deploy intermediate or shorter-range missiles in areas where they could hit territory belonging to the opposing side

It is forbidden to exercise with more than one brigade of military personnel within a designated border zone. Also, it is prohibited to exchange regular information regarding military exercises.

– Confirm that each party does not regard the other as an adversary and to agree to settle all disputes peacefully, refraining from using force

– To promise not to create any conditions that may be perceived as threats by the other party

Create hotlines for emergency contact

– To accept that the United States and Russia may not deploy nukes outside of their respective national borders.