Representatives from the United States and Russia have set a date to discuss the tensions over Ukraine, the White House said.
The National Security Council said on Monday evening there would be talks with Russia on January 10, within the framework of a strategic security dialogue. Both sides would be able to raise their concerns at the meeting, Washington said.
Russia and NATO are planning hold separate talks two days later, on January 12, according to the White House. NATO officials had already said that the date was under consideration for a NATO-Russia Council meeting, the first in two and a half years. According to the US administration, there will be a meeting of the permanent council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on January 13.
Russia wants to stop NATO’s eastward enlargement and prevent Ukraine’s membership, which it sees as a threat. Washington said that no decisions would be made over the heads of allies – including Ukraine – in its talks with Moscow. For weeks, the West has been concerned about reports that Russia has massed tens of thousands of soldiers in areas not far from Ukraine. Parts of Ukraine are embroiled in a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.
The Defence Ministry in Moscow announced on Saturday that more than 10,000 soldiers would return to their bases after taking part in a military manoeuvre. It did not reveal how many of them had been on the border with Ukraine.
Source: MIA
