In the past three decades that had passed since when the Soviet Union was dissolved, Russia and the United States’ current bilateral relations have been on a slippery surface, and one that displays indications of the rivalry observed in that Cold War period. Lithuanian, President Gitanas Nausea, has described their current relations as “the most dangerous they’ve had in the past 30 years”.
Russian’s highly aggressive international policy position in Europe and elsewhere, frequently using its military influence, warnings of a total rupture in relations, and the exponential rise of meetings at all government levels all point in the same direction.
Conversations and phone calls with Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden frequently end in loud statements of discord. Russia’s Ukraine building up has resulted in Biden threatening sanctions “like no one Putin has ever heard of.” In response, Putin has replied by saying that they are a “colossal error.”
The talks held on January 10 in Geneva, which aimed to reach the solution to Ukraine and several other meetings across Europe, are likely to intensify the conflicting views and expectations.
Europe talks
These Geneva talks, which took place on January 10 the first of a series of discussions held throughout Europe in the coming week. The next round of negotiations between Russia and NATO took place on January 12 and is scheduled to follow by a summit with the OSCE in Vienna from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday.
For the US, these talks are an avenue to negotiate with the US to prevent the possibility of a major conflict in Europe which could be a consequence should the Kremlin can invade Ukraine. They also strive to reach peace through peaceful methods. It is about taking Washington to the negotiation table and making demands for Russia.
The talks necessary for the future holds for Ukraine, and the international political landscape has not shown any sign of either side reducing their differences.
Several US officials have claimed that the orders were crafted to be rejected and then utilized to justify employing the military. The primary reason is Russia’s demands, which the US could not accept. After the eight-hour negotiations at Geneva, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman said the security demands made from Russia are “simply not feasible.”
Russian side. “Unfortunately we’ve got a wide divergence in our approaches to this. The view isn’t that as strong on both sides. There is a difference between the US a, long Russia in a few ways differ regarding what must be accomplished,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
It was reported that the US Secretary-General of the United Nations, Linda Greenfield, told Al-Jazeera she “wished to believe that” Russia’s claims of not invading Ukraine was absolute. “But everything we’ve seen thus far suggests they are taking steps towards this in that direction,” Greenfield said at an event held at the headquarters of UN located in New York.
“What is happening during this time is the reminder there was no permanent solution to the security arrangements that were in place post-Cold War Europe,” The New York Times stated in a story.
What is the difference between both sides?
The US is determined to stop Russia from expanding its influence in Ukraine, reverting its expansionist ways and influencing its allies, mainly through military methods. It also has urged Russia to revert to the Minsk agreements in 2014 and 2015, which aimed to end the raging conflict between the Ukrainian government and separatists backed by Russia.
Russia is, on the contrary, is more aggressive in its demands. It seeks NATO reform and the alliance to remove its troops out of its ex-Soviet Union nation. It also opposes Ukraine joining NATO. In addition, the Russian faction would like NATO not to send large-scale forces alongside its eastern members, as it did in 2014 when Russia was able to take Crimea and ended military aid to Ukraine from or through NATO or the US.
American responses to Russian demands
US Vice Secretary of State Sherman has stated that her country will not permit anyone to criticize NATO’s open-door policy that has been a vital element of the alliance. “We are not going to decide on Ukraine without Ukraine and regarding Europe without Europe as well as regarding NATO in the absence of NATO,” Sherman highlighted.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said they are prepared to respond to any Russian military intervention. A threat of invasion could be followed by massive financial sanctions by both states and Europe.
Russia-US ties since Biden
Russia has taken the more aggressive approach in opposition to a more diplomacy-focused Biden administration. However, despite Russian actions, Biden’s US administration seems to consistently be willing to work with the Kremlin in search of an agreement. US threats have been limited to mere words and threats, while Russia has taken a proactive approach.
The common thread is the danger to national security from nations that are not related to each other. Russia’s claim that it is the responsibility of the West to safeguard its security by defense and security has increased. However, the US has faced more tangible security threats, particularly in cybersecurity. The US has been accused of hackers coming from Russia targeting politicians and other federal areas.
The Biden administration has been vocal in defending the violations of human rights committed by Russia. The arrest of Alexey Navalny, the most well-known Putin opposition politician, is an example.