According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the main thing is that there should be no chatter. Not to bog down our proposals in an endless discussion, which the West is famous for, and what it’s good at
The main round of talks between Russia and the United States on security guarantees will take place immediately after the New Year holidays, Lavrov said in an exclusive interview with Vladimir Solovyov for the YouTube channel “Solovyov Live.”
“With the United States, we will hold the main round of talks [on security issues], which will take place immediately after the New Year holidays”, – the diplomat said.
What matters for Moscow is the timing of the talks, the minister added, noting that it was inadmissible to drag them out despite the fact that Russia was not issuing ultimatums on the issue.
“The main thing is not to bog down our offers in endless discussions, which the West is famous for and can do, but to have the result of all these diplomatic efforts. The result must be within a certain period of time. We are not giving any ultimatums.”
Lavrov also stressed that Washington was the main negotiator on security guarantees with Russia.
“The NATO people suggested, of course, in the mouth of Stoltenberg, as NATO secretary general and chairman of the Russia-NATO Council, but it is clear that this is at the suggestion of the United States, immediately followed by a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council, literally a day later, and this organizational structure reflects the projects that we have made, which we have submitted for consideration by both the Americans and the NATO.”
The politician added that Russia is ready to start negotiations with the US side.
“In all seriousness, of course [the Russian side is ready to start negotiations]. Those problems that were sharpened by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin did not appear yesterday and do not require the creation of a research institute to study them. They are problems that a solid group of professionals owns and it is they who will be responsible for preparing the positions, for conducting and evaluating these negotiations”.