"Tensions between Russia and NATO, which is going to be deeper, are entering a new phase."
The statement came from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ryabkov. He condemned the European Union and the West for failing to respond to NATO's call for non-expansion on its eastern borders. The Russian diplomat noted that this step will accelerate the emergence of another confrontation between the two sides.
For his part, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said Russia's security conditions for the EU and NATO were unacceptable.
"Russia's demand for security guarantees, especially in the case of Ukraine, to stop the EU and NATO's eastward expansion is completely unacceptable, and this is purely Russia's agenda," Borrell said.
Noting that Russia and NATO are scheduled to hold talks on January 12 next year. The West also announced its position on the meeting. However, according to the Russian side, the conditions set by the West do not leave any chance for reaching an agreement between the two sides before the meeting. On the contrary, the harshness of the statement sounds like a complete rejection of Russia's expectations.
Speaking to EDNews.net, Samir Humbatov, Azerbaijani political analyst at Atlas Research Centre has commented on the processes.
"The first question here is whether the parties will be able to reach an agreement. To do this, both sides must step back from their positions. And if one party does so, it could lead to a decline in that party's prestige in the international arena. For this reason, I do not think that any party will take such a step.
As for the demands of the parties, first of all, Russia's conditions are clear. In a statement, Putin repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's and NATO's policy of expansion at the eastern borderst, as well as calling it a serious threat to Russia. A few months ago, the Russian president said that the missiles deployed on the Ukrainian border were at the range of just 8-minute flight from Moscow. However, the latest statement said that the figure was only 4 minutes. This means that NATO has seriously developed its missile systems by using the latest technology at the Ukranian borders.
In fact, Putin wants a written guarantee that the West will not expand to the East. However, the West does not want to keep a promise. Because the West does not want to leave Ukraine or Russia to become stronger in the Transnistrian region. As a result, I think that the meeting scheduled for January may take place, but it is still unrealistic to achieve any serious results or reach common consensus. Nevertheless, the West will only try to squeeze Russia economically by increasing sanctions against it."
The political analyst also commented on the form in which the conditions set by the parties will be fulfilled if there is no war between the parties.
"Obviously, if there is no armed conflict between the parties and if the parties want to return to the round table, the struggle for influence in Ukraine will begin. That is, if Russia continues to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, then the West and the EU will begin to directly support the local authorities in Ukraine. I would even say that it has already been determined. It's just a matter of fully strengthening the reputation. In other words, on the one hand, there is competition to prevent Russia from integrating Ukraine into the West, and on the other hand, to increase the West's ability to directly influence Kiev.
Samir Humbatov also commented on the ongoing tensions between the West and Russia, which could harm the issue of gas exports between Russia and the West.
"I do not think that these processes can seriously affect economic relations," he said.
"Although the parties are at risk of confrontation, they are economically getting well with one another. We know that Russia exports 200 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe every year. This also means that Europe is interdependent with Russia and currently has no large-scale alternative energy provider other than Russia. Russia also has no customers like Europe that can export gas other than China. Therefore, both sides avoid mixing political relations with economic issues, and I think that the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project will continue."
by Elnur Enveroglu
