"We will never accept the enlargement of NATO to our borders, it is a threat that we clearly perceive" but Russia "does not want war" and this is "why we have put forward proposals for a negotiation process".
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after more than three-hour talks on the crisis in Ukraine , uses conciliatory tones: although "the Alliance's responses on security" so far "do not meet our requests", there are "arguments" that can be brought forward.
The war no longer seems so imminent even if the Russian fear remains the continuous expansion of NATO to the east: "For 30 years we have been told that NATO will not expand towards Russia, instead it has happened. And they tell us that Ukraine is not still ready to join NATO. But whether this happens tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, nothing changes for us. We want to solve this question now ". For Russia, the guarantee that Ukraine does not join NATO in the future remains a "priority".
As for the Nord Stream 2 project, the gas pipeline which, across the Baltic Sea, directly transports gas from Russia to Western Europe, via Germany, is ready to operate since December and is a "structural project to strengthen energy security in Europe and solving energy and environmental problems, and has no political significance ".
The security of Europe "cannot be built against Russia but in cooperation with Russia", assured German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. As for Moscow's recognition of the two pro-Russian separatist republics of Donbass, in Ukraine, it would be a "political catastrophe" and a "violation of the Minsk agreements".
BIDEN: "ATTACK POSSIBLE" - Despite Putin's "reassuring" words, US President Joe Biden continues to argue that "an attack is always possible". "The US is prepared, regardless of what happens", he said speaking to the White House, also because the withdrawal of the Russian troops has not "been verified yet at this stage".
"We are eager to negotiate written agreements with Russia", he added, to propose "new measures on arms control and transparency" because diplomacy must be given "every chance to succeed". "We do not want to destabilize Russia", he assured.
THE DRAGHI-ZELENSKY PHONE CALL - Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mario Draghi spoke on the phone with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. The head of the Italian government, explains a note from Palazzo Chigi, reiterated the Italian government's firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. "The importance of strengthening the common commitment for a sustainable and lasting solution to the crisis was shared, keeping open a channel of dialogue with Moscow".
"With Prime Minister Mario Draghi - Zelensky's words - we discussed the security challenges facing Ukraine and Europe today. We had an exchange of views on intensifying the work of all negotiating formats and on unblocking the process of peace. I appreciate Italy's support for Ukraine ".
DI MAIO TO KIEV - Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio is also in Kiev: "The only way forward is the one that leads to peace and stability. I am convinced that for the current crisis there is only a diplomatic solution that puts an end to it. to tensions and avoid possible aggressions ". "Italy - he added - in coordination with its partners, concentrates every effort on this solution. In these hours diplomacy must not stop, it is the only real peaceful weapon to avoid a conflict".
(Unioneonline / D)
