MOSCOW (Parliament Politics Magazine): Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the US of ignoring Russia’s demands of NATO not expanding eastward in his first remarks on soaring conflict over Ukraine in over a month.
But he added that Moscow was keeping an open mind over talks with the West on easing tensions over Ukraine.
Putin said the US and NATO’s response to the country’s demands of security which included NATO’s non-expansion to Ukraine and other countries which were once a part of the Soviet, was being studied by the Kremlin and that it takes back deployments in Eastern Europe.
He added that its allies along with the US were in violation of obligations on the uprightness of security made at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
While Western friends emphasise freedom of choosing alliances that each country has, the Russian leader argues that they ignore the OSCE agreements’ idea of “indivisibility of security.”
This is based on the premise that one nation’s security should not be bolstered at others’ expense.
The president was speaking after a meeting at the Kremlin with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, during which they discussed the situation in Ukraine.
It happens as tensions between Russia and NATO rise after Russia placed tens of thousands of troops on the borders of Ukraine.
The officials of US have frequently warned of the possibility of Russian invasion in Ukraine at any time, despite Russia’s denial. At a UN Security Council meeting held on Monday, US and Russian officials exchanged angry words.
In the case of a Russian invasion into Ukraine, Western countries have warned to impose coordinated sanctions.
Orban is opposed to sanctions.
“The sanctions policy that has been introduced against Russia has caused more damage to Hungary than to Russia,” Orban said during a press conference with Putin.
He said that Hungary had suffered loss of some markets as a result of the sanctions, which were imposed in 2014 in response to Russia’s activities in Ukraine.
About NATO situation, Orban said that though the rift between NATO and Russia was wide, it wasn’t “unbridgeable”
A deal that ensured peace, secured security of Russia and was agreeable to member states of NATO was achievable, he said.
