Former German Foreign Minister, former Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel. Archival photoMOSCOW, 19 Jan. Europe's decision to withdraw from negotiations between Russia and the United States on security guarantees causes shame, ex-Foreign Minister of Germany, former Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper. According to the German politician, European countries should join consultations with Moscow, and not give up the initiative in the hands of Washington. «I am ashamed that many in Europe behave as if nothing is happening, and are glad that the United States is once again negotiating on a topical issue,» Gabriel stressed. The former German Foreign Minister believes that the passive the position of the European leaders «plays into the hands of the Kremlin.» «In fact, we confirm the position of the Russian leadership that Europe is only a subject of negotiations, but does not play any role in itself,» the politician concluded. Gabriel compared the negotiations between Russia and the United States with the division of spheres of influence in Europe after World War II and on the eve of the collapse of the USSR.
NATO Secretary General advocated «non-public» negotiations with Russia At the end of 2021, Russia published draft treaties with the United States and agreements with NATO on security guarantees. Moscow, in particular, demands from its Western partners legal guarantees of refusing further eastward expansion of NATO, of Ukraine joining the bloc, and of establishing military bases in post-Soviet countries. A series of consultations between Russia, the United States and NATO on security guarantees took place last week: — On January 10, the issue was discussed in Geneva at meetings with the United States, on January 12 — at a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council, on January 13 — at the OSCE site. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Washington promised next week to «put on paper» a response to Moscow's proposals, a written response from NATO is also expected within a week. According to the minister, Russia needs a specific response to each article of the documents put forward, and the further actions of Moscow and the prospects for resuming negotiations depend on the response of the United States and NATO. >WSJ: in Europe they were afraid of the reconciliation of NATO and Russia
