Russia needs “immediate” guarantees, Reuters does not want a conflict

By Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia wants to avoid conflicts with Ukraine and the West, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, urging the United States and its allies to respond “immediately” to Moscow’s demand for security guarantees.

“This is not our (preferred) option, we do not want this,” Putin said at an annual press conference when asked about the possibility of a conflict with Ukraine.

He said Russia had a good initial response to security proposals given to the United States this month and that negotiations would begin early next year in Geneva.

“I hope that the development of the situation will move in that direction,” he said.

In a separate response, Putin was further heated by recalling how NATO had “cheated” Russia with the successive waves of the Cold War, and said Moscow needed an urgent response.

“You have to give us guarantees, and immediately … now.”

Russia has denied accusations by Ukraine and the United States that thousands of Russian soldiers near the border are preparing to invade Ukraine next month. He says he needs Western commitments – including NATO’s commitment not to engage in military activity in Eastern Europe – because his security is threatened by Ukraine’s growing ties with the Western alliance, as well as the possibility of NATO missiles being deployed against Ukraine.

“We directly raised the question of no further NATO movement to the east. The ball is in their court, they should answer us with something,” Putin said.