Washington and Moscow take tough stands ahead of more talks amid rising tensions in the wake of a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine
Moscow and Washington have both taken uncompromising stands ahead of more talks amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, with the US rebuffing a demand to halt NATO expansion and the Kremlin saying it will quickly see if it's worthwhile to even keep negotiating.
“We will not allow anyone to slam NATO’s open-door policy shut,” said US Ambassador Julianne Smith on Tuesday.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the Geneva talks as “open, comprehensive and direct,” but emphasised that Moscow wants quick results. ”We see no significant reason for optimism,” he told reporters.
President Vladimir Putin has warned Moscow would take unspecified “military-technical measures” if the US and its allies don't meet its demands. But Washington and NATO also say they are ready to discuss arms control, confidence-building measures, greater transparency and risk reduction if Russia takes a constructive stance.
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