MOSCOW, March 19. /TASS/. The Russian-US talks aimed at resolving the crisis in Ukraine focus on key issues related to global security, according to military expert Alexander Stepanov, program director at the Academy of Political Sciences and senior researcher at the Institute of Latin America within the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The most contentious aspects of bilateral relations stem from the militarization of Russia's border regions in response to the expansion of NATO military infrastructure under US auspices. This includes the deployment of offensive precision systems and nuclear weapons delivery vehicles, primarily multifunctional F-35 fighters, in Eastern and Northern Europe, alongside the modernization and establishment of new military bases and logistics centers. Stepanov noted that today's challenges were initially driven by Washington, exacerbated by European NATO countries, and primarily sustained by the US military-industrial complex.
"If there is a shift away from this destructive mode of relations, it is certainly possible to reach a consensus that satisfies all parties, based on positions that account for mutual interests and, most importantly, the key principle we consistently advocate on all major platforms - the principle of indivisible security. This will help create a balanced security architecture on the European continent and in Eurasia as a whole, with the implications stretching globally," the expert emphasized.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Stepanov suggested that ceasefire discussions will continue, with an emphasis on ensuring compliance, primarily by Kiev, and deliberations on who will serve as the guarantor of the agreements. A ceasefire in the Black Sea, he added, is crucial for preserving trade and economic ties, safeguarding maritime logistics, port and transportation infrastructure, and preventing any sabotage attempts against Crimea by Ukraine.
One of the most pressing topics in the negotiation process, Stepanov asserted, is halting arms supplies and intelligence support to Kiev from the West.
"We recognize that even signed international agreements are not always honored; in fact, the opposite is often true. Therefore, returning to a constructive, predictable dialogue based on international law is a priority for stabilizing the situation not just in Europe, but also on a global scale," he concluded.