President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Washington’s willingness to discuss Russia’s security proposals to curb NATO’s eastward expansion was “positive” amid Western fears about a major military escalation in Ukraine.
The documents said that NATO should not admit new members to the military alliance and called for no military bases to be established in former Soviet countries.
“There should be no expansion of NATO to the east,” Putin told reporters at his annual year-end press conference.
“The ball is in their court. They need to give us some response,” he said, but added: “Overall, we see a positive reaction.”
“The American partners told us that they are ready to start this discussion, these talks, early next year in Geneva,” Putin said, adding that representatives from both sides have been appointed.
Russia’s far-reaching demands were rejected by various members of the US-led alliance.
Washington said it was open to discussions but has yet to give a detailed response to Moscow’s proposals.
Western governments have accused Moscow of massing troops near its border with eastern Ukraine, where Kiev has been fighting pro-Russian separatists since shortly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The United States and Europe have warned Russia that it risks unprecedented sanctions if Putin launches a military strike against NATO ally Ukraine.