The EU and NATO urge Russia to negotiate its security approaches

The European Union and the NATO have responded in writing this Thursday to the letter that the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, sent to the Twenty-seven on their security approaches in Europe, in a coordinated response that calls on Moscow to opt for the path of dialogue within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

“I have replied on behalf of the EU Member States to the letters they received from Minister Lavrov. Tensions and disagreements must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” said the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Joseph Borrellin a message on Twitter.

“We ask Russia to de-escalate the situation and reverse the military concentration around Ukraine and Belarus,” assured the head of community diplomacy, in relation to Moscow’s pressure on Kiev.

European sources point out that the response of the Twenty-seven highlights the need to resort to the OSCE as a forum to address Moscow’s security concerns and does not contemplate new security elements on Ukraine.

Likewise, the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenbergconfirmed in a conversation with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskythat the Alliance will continue its “political and practical” support for the former Soviet republic.

“Spoke to President Zelensky about Russia’s military buildup in and around Ukraine. NATO will continue political and practical support for our highly valued partner,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking the Black Sea

On the other hand, the Government of Ukraine has accused Russia of “blocking” the Black Sea, the Sea of ​​Azov and the Kerch Strait “under the pretext” of naval maneuvers that, according to the Kremlin, comply with all international obligations. in matters of maritime law.

The Russian Armed Forces have mobilized 140 vessels, more than 60 aircraft and 10,000 troops for some exercises that began in January and that Moscow limits to waters adjacent to Russia. Next week there are planned shooting tests near Crimea.

However, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Oleg Nikolenko, has assured that the maneuvers extend over an “unprecedented” territory and “practically” make navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Azov impossible. “This has economic consequences for the region and, in particular, for Ukrainian ports”has lamented on Twitter.

“We work closely with allies to ensure that such aggressive actions by Russia … receive an appropriate response,” the spokesman warned.

Russia prepares evacuation plan for non-essential staff from embassy in Kiev

For its part, Russia is “actively” preparing a evacuation of its non-essential diplomatic personnel from its Embassy in Kiev amid the military tension between the two countries, as reported by Russian diplomatic sources in Ukraine.

“The matter of non-essential personnel leaving Ukraine for a while is being actively prepared,” the source told the TASS agency.

In this regard, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has assured that Moscow will recommend its diplomatic staff to leave the neighboring country depending on what the Western Embassies do.

Countries like United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, or Japan expressed in January their intention to evacuate their non-essential staff from diplomatic missions in Ukraine due to fears of an outbreak of conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the West for unreasonably cause panic about an imminent Russian invasion, arguing that his country has been in the same situation of Russian military threat for many years.

“I consider that it was a mistake and I say it openly. In this situation everyone must be in their place,” he commented.