Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted he does not want conflict with Ukraine or Nato, but demanded an immediate response from the West to Moscow’s security guarantees to calm tension in Eastern Europe.
He reiterated Russia’s demand that Nato must not expand further eastward, while leaving the door open to dialogue if the US and its allies are willing to engage.
Last week, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that Nato deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back the alliance’s military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.
It comes amid heightened tension on the Russia-Ukraine border and fears in some western capitals that a massive Russian troop build-up could pave the way for an invasion.
Speaking at his annual press conference, Mr Putin said there had generally been a “positive response” from the US, with Russian and American representatives set to meet for negotiations in Geneva next January.
Responding to Mr Putin, a senior US official said on Thursday that Washington is ready for talks in early January but that any progress would follow de-escalation steps by Russia.
“We have said both publicly and to the Russian government that we are prepared [for dialogue] in early January,” the US official said in a call with reporters.
There has been no determination of where the talks will take place, said a White House spokeswoman.
“We've also told Russia that it's clear to us that substantive progress in the talks can only be made in environments of de-escalation. We welcomed what was a small step just in the last couple of days.”
Both Russia and Ukraine recommitted to a July 2020 ceasefire last week.
“Our concern is with actions, not just words. We will continue to monitor events on and around the border very closely,” the US official said.
But Mr Putin hit out at Nato’s expansion, and said the military alliance “must give us guarantees, and immediately — now,” in response to the Russia’s security demands.
“We just directly posed the question that there should be no further Nato movement to the east. The ball is in their court, they should answer us with something,” he said.
He rejected criticism of the build-up of Russian troops on its border with Ukraine, and said Moscow was merely ensuring its own security.
“Do we put our missiles close to US borders?” Mr Putin asked. “No! It’s the US which has come to our house with its missiles. They’re on our doorstep already.”
Mr Putin also accused the West of trying to make Ukraine “anti-Russia, constantly beefed up with modern weapons and brainwashing the population”.
Officials from Nato member states have thrown their support behind Kiev and threatened Moscow with sanctions if it invades Ukraine.
Germany and France called on both the Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to respect the restoration of a full ceasefire, their foreign ministries said in a joint statement on Thursday.
“We urge the sides to respect the ceasefire and to continue discussions on further steps in the humanitarian field, e.g. the opening of crossing points and the exchange of detainees, along with the rest of the conclusions of the 2019 Paris Summit,” the ministries said.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Thursday repeated her warning to Russia that any incursion into Ukraine would be a costly mistake, but welcomed Moscow's willingness to enter talks.
“Any Russian incursion would be a massive strategic mistake and would be met with strength, including co-ordinated sanctions with our allies to impose a severe cost on Russia's interests and economy,” she said in a statement.
“The only way out of the current situation for Russia is through dialogue and I welcome the fact that Russia has signalled it is willing to enter talks in January.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on Thursday with Ukraine's Head of Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak. They discussed their shared concerns and common approach to Russia's military build-up.
Mr Sullivan welcomed the OSCE announcement regarding the “strong determination” of Ukrainian government forces and Russia-led forces in eastern Ukraine to fully adhere to the July 2020 ceasefire. He underscored the administration’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The five pillars of Islam
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
