Security Russia’s negotiations with the OSCE led to almost nothing – “The roar of the war drum is hard,” says the US OSCE envoy

Our we must now be prepared for the possibility that tensions with Russia will escalate, he says Michael Carpenter, Permanent Representative of the United States to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Russia’s security requirements for the United States and NATO were discussed at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday. Representatives of 57 states were present, including Russia itself and Finland, Sweden and Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Russia held talks with U.S. representatives on Monday and with NATO members on Wednesday.

Negotiations have not gone as expected for Russia. In December, it presented the United States and NATO with a list of demands, most of which have been knocked out.

“We are not going to live in front divisions. We do not intend to restrict the sovereign right of states to choose their ally, ”Carpenter, a U.S. OSCE spokesman, told reporters in a Zoom call on Thursday night.

“Europe’s security is in crisis, the roar of the war drum is loud,” Carpenter referred to Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders, recalling the “massive consequences” the United States would be prepared for if Russia began to escalate the situation.

Thursday’s meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in 2022 was the first. The OSCE Chairmanship, which rotates annually, introduces itself. This year, the OSCE will be chaired by Poland, chaired by the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. Rau also warned of the threat of war.

Carpenterin A significant number of the 57 countries present were in favor of continuing the dialogue on the security situation in Europe. One of these countries was Finland, which issued a joint statement with Sweden.

“We agree with the Presidency that any such discussions should be in accordance with international law and our common principles and commitments, including the Helsinki Final Act and the New Europe Charter of Paris,” the statement said.

The Helsinki Final Act is the treaty establishing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe from 1975 and the Charter of the New Europe in its updated version from 1990, when the Soviet Union was collapsing.

“These principles cannot be negotiated. Leaving them undermines both European security and the rules-based international order, as well as effective multilateralism, which should be a concern for all countries. “

The joint statement was presented by the Finnish Ambassador to the OSCE Vesa Häkkinen.

In the statement, Finland and Sweden also praised the OSCE as the right place to discuss with Russia. The same was emphasized by the US OSCE Ambassador Michael Carpenter.

“The OSCE is the right place because it is inclusive and involves all of Russia’s neighbors. Ukraine is at the negotiating table and has a very special value. ”

Carpenterin Poland is launching a trial to launch a pilot dialogue on European security.

“I have been in the negotiations long enough to know that there must first be an exploratory debate. The processes in the OSCE are long, but such a dialogue could be launched in maybe weeks. ”

Carpenter said he expects discussions to continue.

“We’re involved, but two are needed for the tango. We need a pair of counterparts. ”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergei Ryabkov admittedly, he said on Thursday that he sees no preconditions for continuing the talks in the coming days.

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In the process Russia has demanded written responses from the United States and NATO as to why they cannot agree to Russia’s demands. Answers are required as early as next week.

Russian OSCE Representative Alexander Lukashevich said at a news conference on Thursday that Russia has not given up diplomacy.

“We are disappointed. Our colleagues had a lot of time to prepare. We expected a more fruitful discussion, but it did not come, ”Lukashevich told Reuters.

Lukashevich saw no cause for optimism after the OSCE meeting.

“The moment of truth is at hand. A negotiated solution must be found, or the situation will lead to disaster, ”he said.

According to Lukashevich, what happens next depends on their partners.