In remarks made prior to the Russia-NATO Council meeting, Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov insisted the United States seriously discuss and adopt Russian proposals for security guarantees for the sake of stability in Europe. “We are in the mood for a substantive discussion of Russian documents that must be adopted as soon as possible in order to stabilize the situation in Europe,” Antonov said, according to a report today in TASS. “We have clearly outlined our priorities. We are not waiting for demagogic statements, but for written answers to specific Russian proposals. We aim for easing tension. For creating a normal atmosphere for mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Making the case for the U.S. to abandon its aggressive rhetoric, Antonov remarked, “We have nowhere to retreat. NATO has crept up to the Russian borders. It tries to dominate not only on land, but also on the sea and in the air. We will not allow the developments that would undermine the independence and sovereignty of the Russian Federation.”
