Friday, December 3, 2021

Ukraine rejects Russia's ultimatum. Giving up NATO membership is not an option


 Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country would insist in talks with the US and NATO to develop agreements that would preclude the expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance to the east and deploy "weapons systems" to Russia's borders.

The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergey Lavrov, announced on Thursday that Moscow would react if Washington and its allies did not respond to the guarantees offered by Russia.

In other words, Russia wants to re-establish its sphere of influence in former Eastern Europe.

Ukraine calls on the US and NATO countries to reject Russia's demands. 

Unfortunately, the massing of the Russian troops may be a direct consequence of both Biden's acceptance of Nord Stream II and disastrous Afghanistan pull-out. Putin thinks that Biden is weak and will accept at least one of his demands.