Kremlin signals more talks with West amid Ukraine tensions

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV and YURAS KARMANAU

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat advised President Vladimir Putin on Monday to keep talking with the West on Moscow’s security demands, a signal from the Kremlin that it intends to continue diplomatic efforts amid U.S. warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow wants guarantees from the West that NATO won’t allow Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to join as members, and that the alliance will halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe, the demands flatly rejected by the West.

Speaking at a meeting with Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov argued that Moscow should hold more talks with the U.S. and its allies despite their refusal to consider the main Russian demands.

The talks “can’t go on indefinitely, but I would suggest to continue and expand them at this stage,” Lavrov said, noting that Washington has offered to conduct dialogue on limits for missile deployments in Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures.



Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, left, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Russia's top diplomat has advised President Vladimir Putin to continue talks with the West on Russian security demands amid tensions over Ukraine. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Russia should continue a dialogue with the U.S. and its allies even though they have rejected Moscow's main security demands. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-olaf-scholz-moscow-vladimir-putin-europe-ddf76e8b58bfa88a1022fef99bbaf3be

[C_U_L8R]

1. These long-table shots really make Putin look ridiculous

It seems he's really boxed himself in with an ill-conceived strategy. Time to tell him to back the fuck off.

[PatSeg]

3. I was thinking the same thing

It is so bizarre looking. He looks isolated and out of touch.

[True Blue American]

11. In the case of Macron

He refused to take the Covid test!

Anyone get their tests yet? I received 4 Saturday.

[PatSeg]

12. Oh yeah, that's right

I can't blame Macron for not trusting Putin.

[True Blue American]

14. I would refuse Putin tests, too

And certainly would not let him near my underwear!

Trump just called Susan Collins,’ atrocious,” because she said,” No one should be afraid of him!” That poor guy is hitting the trash pile, fast!

[PatSeg]

15. Yes, Putin is the "dastardly evil" villain

in spy novels and Bond films. Just being in the same room with him could be harmful to your health.

I hadn't heard that about Susan Collins yet. Poor, poor Donald, can't win for losing!

[imaginary girl]

4. Wonder if it's fear of covid? Nt

[peggysue2]

7. Or fear of assassination

That General's recent out-spoken criticism of Putin was . . . interesting and quite unusual.

[PatSeg]

13. Yes, it stands to reason

that a known prolific assassin would be afraid of being assassinated.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

2. Pressure on the bully is having an effect. . . .nt

[marie999]

5. NATO has to show him the Ukraine will not become a member.

Ukraine will not join NATO because it can't get a 100% vote from the members. So it doesn't hurt NATO to put it into writing. A treaty between NATO, Russia, and Belarus stating Ukraine will not become a member, a non-aggression pact, and all sides are only allowed certain weapons within an area near their borders. A pact between the US and Russia that the US cannot have nuclear weapons in any NATO country and Russia can not have nuclear weapons in Belarus or Kaliningrad. The US only has 100 tactical weapons in NATO countries anyway and Russia can put 10 times that amount in Belarus and Kaliningrad right now. Russia does not want to invade Ukraine, it would be too costly.

[yaesu]

6. Putin seems to have the same condition that tRump has, craves attention and makes some really

shitty poses

[Roc2020]

8. Putin blinked!

[Javaman]

9. aka, putin isn't quite ready to invade. playing for more time till all pieces in place. nt

[DallasNE]

10. This Is A Welcome Development

But Russia cannot keep over 100,000 troops in temporary quarters and on this high alert for too long or moral will sag, and other command and control issues will arise. The clock is ticking for Putin. Biden has been smart about this by offering minor concessions on matters like missile placement, but the west also has security requirements that they must hold firm on, especially given Russia's warmongering annexation of Crimea, etc. Biden has also been smart by being transparent on the issue.

Lavrov is taking a risk here by defying Putin, if only modestly. But he also knows the strength of the hands on both sides causing him to try and slow things down with Putin. That said, I feel much better than I did 24 hours ago but there is still a long way to go.