Britain’s authoritative newspaper The Guardian has provided a sober assessment of what the various talks in recent days with Russia about Ukraine’s status and European security have produced.
The Guardians world affairs editor Julian Borger asks the pertinent questions.
Did the talks achieve anything? Not much, he concludes, noting that the Russians describe them as a dead end.
Is there any more clarity about what Russia wants, Borger asks. Yes, it’s clearer now that Russia was not using its troop buildup and demands as a bluff to achieve gains on other matters.
“There is little doubt anymore that Vladimir Putin is seeking nothing less than the transformation in European security, with a much reduced NATO presence along its borders,“
the Guardian’s world affairs editor stresses.
Will there be more talks? On the basis of the initial responses from Russian officials, there does not appear to be much appetite in Moscow for further discussions.
The diplomats will go back to their capitals to discuss the next steps with Moscow still insisting that the U.S. reply in writing to conditions it published in December.
And finally, the critical question of whether the chance of war has increased or decreased after the talks.
Borger is convinced that they have increased. He concludes that “after this week we know that Putin is ready to go to the very brink of war. The question now is will he go over it?”
For the text of Borger’s article, see here.
