Russia ratchets up pressure on Europe, says 'no grounds' for further talks on security

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

Russia ratchets up pressure on Europe, says ‘no grounds’ for further talks on security amid heightened tensions - Complete headine

BELGRADE, Serbia — Russia increased its pressure Thursday on NATO and Europe, dashing hopes of further talks to defuse the crisis over Ukraine’s aim of joining the Western alliance.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he saw “no grounds” to continue the talks, in a blow to the efforts to ease tensions. His comments came as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe met in Vienna in the latest attempt to avert a major European crisis as Russia masses troops on Ukraine’s border.

Speaking on Russian television, Ryabkov said the United States and its allies have rejected Russia’s key demands — including its call for an end to NATO’s open-door policy for new members — offering to negotiate only on topics of secondary interest to Moscow.

“There is, to a certain extent, a dead end or a difference in approaches,” he said. Without some sign of flexibility from the United States, “I do not see reasons to sit down in the coming days, to gather again and start these same discussions.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/01/13/europe-osce-russia-ukraine/

[NCjack]

1. Now is the time to move U.S. troops to Alaska and encourage the eastern provinces

of the Russian Federation to act in their best interests. That is, break-away and choose alliances with USA and China.

That could cause Putin to reduce his western army and increase his eastern army.

[marie999]

5. Which Eastern provinces want to break away from the Russian Federation?

How would the U.S. encourage the Eastern Provinces to revolt without starting a war? The Eastern Provinces have been a part of Russia since the 16th century.

[NCjack]

6. The thought of the eastern provinces breaking away and joining either China or

USA has tormented the Kremlin since the Soviet period.

The possibility that the region could secede from Russia has been on Russian leaders’ minds for some time (since the Soviet period), and today such scenarios seem to have grown more viable, as Moscow’s power over the vast country is not as strong as it used to be.

[link:https://imrussia.org/en/analysis/3376-why-putin-is-making-big-plans-for-the-russian-far-east|]

All we have to do is show sufficient interest to cause Putin to reallocate his military.

[Ford_Prefect]

2. If Putin wants to stop it is because he's aware that something could change that he doesn't want.

That is the only reason for him to shut it down.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

4. Yep...

... pretty much my first thoughts at reading the headline, too. The U.S. of A. and Europe/NATO didn't budge so now the Russians say, "FINE! If you don't want to play my way, then I am going home"!

[Ray Bruns]

3. Can anyone say Munich redux?

I don't think Putin had any intention of negotiating in good faith.

[paleotn]

8. Not Munich. The west didn't give in.

The US stood strong and Putin took his football and went home. Neville Chamberlain would have given Putin half of Ukraine.

[pecosbob]

7. It all about the Bratstvo (Brotherhood) and Nord Stream pipelines

Ukrainians aren't fans of the Nord Stream pipeline as they lose revenue as less gas is pumped via Ukraine. Russians don't mind paying the Ukrainians transit fees but what they won't tolerate is the threat of Ukraine turning off the pipeline altogether for political reasons. Now we respond with the threat of new sanctions that could turn off the Nord Stream Pipeline. Russia would definitely go to war over it's natural gas revenue.

It's likely to be a really dirty war. Both sides have been using cluster munitions there since 2014. IMO this is one we'd best watch from the sidelines, folks.

[paleotn]

9. NATO and EU should then amp up economic pressure on the gas station.

masquerading as a country.

[rockfordfile]

10. f Russian government.