The United States has received a response from Russia on "security assurances. A U.S. official made a statement to this effect on condition of anonymity. This was reported by the Washington Post.
"We can confirm that we have received a written response from Russia," the newspaper quoted the official as saying. He declined to disclose the contents of the document.
The State Department would not disclose the contents of the document, pointing out that the United States considers it "unproductive" to discuss it publicly, so it leaves it up to Moscow. The State Department spokeswoman also said that the United States was fully committed to dialogue and would continue consultations with its allies and partners, including Ukraine.
Russia sent its response to the U.S. ahead of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's phone call with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1.
Recall that last week Washington sent Moscow written responses to Russia's demands for security guarantees in Europe. In them, according to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the U.S. and its allies did not compromise NATO's founding principles - namely, the Alliance's openness to new members, including Ukraine.
Russia's key demand was to refuse to admit new countries to NATO. The response also contained a list of counter-proposals by the U.S. and its allies on security issues in Europe, including a new strategic arms limitation treaty.
