Negotiations between Russia and the US on Moscow's request for guarantees on non-expansion of NATO to Ukraine will begin immediately after the New Year holidays, said the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov said today that Moscow will "conduct the key part of the negotiations" with the US immediately after the New Year holidays, which in Russia last until January 9.
Moscow recently submitted draft security documents to Washington and NATO, demanding that NATO not admit Ukraine and other former Soviet countries to membership, and to abandon the deployment of forces and military equipment in Central and Eastern Europe. Washington and US allies have refused to commit to it, but have indicated they are ready to negotiate.
The demands, contained in the draft security treaty between Russia and the US and the draft security agreement between Moscow and NATO, were made at a time of increasing tensions over the build-up of Russian troops near Ukraine, which has fueled fears of a possible invasion of that country.
Russia denies that it is planning an attack on neighboring Ukraine, but demands guarantees that NATO will not expand into that country or deploy weapons on its territory.
Lavrov said last week that, along with negotiations with the USA, Moscow will also start talks with NATO on the issue, as well as separate negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE.
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