Russia Responds to US Proposals on Security Guarantees

The Russian Foreign Ministry has published the text of Moscow's written response to the US proposals on security guarantees. The document was submitted to "RIA Novosti." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously stated that the Russian side was completing the analysis of the American letter and was ready to publish its response. "Of course, we will publish this document. We have nothing to be ashamed of," the diplomat clarified on February 15.

In the document, the Russian side again denies publications by Western and Ukrainian media that Moscow is planning to invade Ukrainian territory. The statement also refutes accusations of the illegal occupation of Crimea, reminding that the annexation of the peninsula occurred following a referendum in accordance with the right to self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter. The Russian authorities deemed the claims by American representatives regarding Moscow inciting the conflict in Donbas as baseless. The statement notes that the external causes are purely of an intra-Ukrainian nature.

To resolve the conflict, Russia proposes to engage in the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the "Package of Measures," the sequence and responsibility for which are clearly articulated in the UN Security Council's 2022 resolution, including by the United States, France, and Great Britain.