NATO should deny membership to former Soviet countries

Moscow / Washington – Russia has made an open and aggressive demand for NATO to deny memberships to the countries, which were a part of the former Soviet Union. At the same time, the Russian proposal also includes demands such as withdrawing military deployments in Eastern and Central Europe and stopping war exercises near the Russian border. Russia has said it is ready to sign a ‘Security Pact’ with Western nations to ease tensions in Europe and these demands have been included in it. Although NATO and the United States have rejected the demands, the US National Security Advisor indicated they are ready to negotiate with Russia.

Russia on Friday announced a draft of the proposal made to the Western countries. Evidently, Russia has adopted an aggressive stance against US and NATO military moves in Europe. ‘Western countries have been extending the limits of what’s possible. But they fail to consider that we will take care of our security and act as per NATO’s logic and will start extending the limits of what is possible sooner or later. We will find all the necessary ways, means and solutions needed to ensure our security. NATO’s moves are becoming more and more provocative, bringing both sides to the brink of war. Russia wants a proper agreement and not a conflict. Russia will make sure that its opponents have refused to accept the terms before taking aggressive action,’ said Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

The Russian proposal calls for NATO not to grant membership to any country that was once part of the Soviet Union, including Ukraine and Georgia. At the same time, Russia has demanded that NATO withdraw military deployments in Eastern and Central Europe and stop war exercises near the Russian border. Russia has said in a statement that it would like to see a ban on sending fighter jets and warships that could launch an attack on each other’s areas of influence.

The United States and NATO have vehemently opposed Russian demands. The NATO chief reiterated that no other country would intervene on the issue of granting NATO membership. US spokeswoman Jen Psaki also rejected Russia’s demand. However, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the United States was prepared to hold talks with Russia.