Lavrov: Moscow will take the necessary measures in the absence of a constructive response from the United States on security guarantees

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed the readiness of the Russian leadership to retaliate if the United States refuses to provide security guarantees to Russia, a Rosbalt correspondent reports.

Speaking in the State Duma at the “government hour”, the minister recalled that in December Russia handed over to the United States and NATO countries draft agreements between the Russian Federation and the United States on security guarantees, as well as agreements on security measures between Russia and NATO states (the so-called “ultimatum” – ed.). Rosbalt”).

“We need reliable, legally binding security guarantees,” Lavrov said.

He also recalled the recent series of meetings between representatives of Russia, the United States and NATO countries on the issue under discussion.

“And during a meeting with Blinken on January 21, he assured me that he would give us written responses article by article explaining the US position on our demands as early as this week,” Lavrov said.

“Depending on the content of this response, we, together with our colleagues from other departments, will prepare proposals for the president on further steps,” he continued.

At the same time, he stressed that Russia will not allow “our proposals to be wrapped up in endless discussions, including attempts to drop this topic in the OSCE or through persistent calls from the EU to find a place for it in these discussions.”

“We will not allow this to be done, and if there is no constructive response from the United States, and the West continues its aggressive course (in relation to Russia), then Moscow will take the necessary retaliatory measures. Everyone should proceed from the fact that the security of Russia and its citizens is an unconditional priority and it will be reliably ensured under all circumstances,” the Foreign Minister said.

Earlier, the Russian leadership declared its readiness to take “military-technical measures” in the absence of a constructive US response to Russia’s request for security guarantees. A draft resolution of the Communist Party faction on the recognition of the LPR and DPR was also submitted to the State Duma. It is expected that the State Duma Council will discuss this document in February.