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Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Archival photo MOSCOW, January 6 Russia's approach to negotiations on security guarantees will be «quite tough,» Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Izvestia. The diplomat noted that Moscow does not take a position of «denying everything and everything,» but seeks to seek solutions based on a balance of interests. “The approach from our side is quite tough. It cannot be different due to the fact that we“ persuaded ”our interlocutors from the other side for too long, and these persuasions, their results boiled down to the well-known phrase from Krylov's fable:“ And Vaska listens and eats «- said Ryabkov. The head of the Foreign Ministry called the refusal to move NATO closer to the borders of Russia, the rejection of new members, the lack of the appearance of weapons in the relevant territories, including Ukraine, as well as the failure to conduct provocative training events as absolutely integral and necessary elements of the agreements. The United States refused to respond to Russia's security proposals on December 17 Moscow published draft agreements with the United States and agreements with NATO member states, which include, in particular, provisions on mutual security guarantees in Europe, non-deployment of intermediate and shorter-range missiles in the zone reaching each other and refusing to further expand the North Atlantic Alliance, including at the expense of the former republics of the USSR. The documents were handed over to Washington and its allies. As President Vladimir Putin emphasized, further NATO expansion eastward and the deployment of offensive weapons on Ukrainian territory and in countries adjacent to Russia are red lines for Moscow. The Foreign Ministry told who will represent Russia in negotiations with NATO. NATO, a multilateral meeting at the OSCE site is due a day later. In anticipation of the talks on December 30, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute telephone conversation. According to the Kremlin, the American president has threatened «massive sanctions» over the situation with Ukraine. The Russian leader replied that it would be a big mistake: in this case, a complete breakdown of relations could follow. accession of Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance