US-Russia Security Guarantee Negotiations to be Held on the 10th of Next Month... Deputy Minister-Level Working Meeting Expected

NATO on the 12th, OSCE on the 13th Hold Consecutive Talks
Interest in Whether Military Tensions at Ukraine Border Will Ease

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The first round of talks between the United States and Russia on security guarantees surrounding the Ukraine conflict is scheduled to be held on the 10th of next month. Starting with negotiations between the two countries, talks with Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), are also expected to follow in succession. With growing concerns over military clashes between Russia and the West, attention is focused on whether the upcoming consecutive negotiations next month will provide a diplomatic breakthrough.

On the 27th (local time), AFP reported that a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC), speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "Negotiations with Russia will begin on the 10th of next month." According to the spokesperson, although the representatives for the talks between the two countries have not yet been decided, negotiations aimed at nuclear arms control and reducing military tensions surrounding Ukraine are being planned.

Two days after the U.S.-Russia talks on the 10th, a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council (NRC) will be held, followed by Russia-OSCE negotiations on the 13th. In particular, the OSCE is a pan-European security consultative body that includes NATO member countries and former Soviet Union states, raising expectations for multilateral security talks within Europe.

Earlier, the Russian side also hinted that negotiations with the U.S. were imminent. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with the local conservative commentator YouTube channel 'Solovyov Live' that "Negotiations with the U.S. regarding security guarantees will begin immediately after the New Year holidays." Considering that Russia's New Year holidays last from January 1 to 9, it was anticipated that the talks would be held around January 10.

In the interview, Minister Lavrov said, "Representatives from the foreign ministries and defense ministries of both the U.S. and Russia will participate in the negotiations," indicating that it will be a working-level meeting rather than a summit. Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also told the Russian diplomatic magazine 'International Life' that he would serve as the lead negotiator for security guarantees with the U.S., and that the U.S. representative is likely to be Wendy Sherman, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.