High-ranking US and Russian government officials held talks over the situation in Ukraine, where military tensions continue.

In response to Russia's request not to expand NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the US side did not show a concessionary stance and strongly urged relaxation of tensions, and the size of the gap between the two became clear again.

Around the Ukrainian border, neighboring Russia has deployed an army unit of about 100,000, and military tensions continue.



The Russian side is demanding legal guarantee that NATO will not expand, saying that it is creating a tense situation in Europe and the United States, such as NATO increasing the number of member countries and continuing to expand.



Under these circumstances, a meeting between Deputy Secretary of State Sherman of the United States and Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyapukov of Russia was held in Geneva, Switzerland on the 10th for nearly eight hours.

At the end of the meeting, both sides held press conferences, and Vice-Minister Lyapukov repeatedly emphasized that Russia had no intention of invading Ukraine.



"I got the impression that the American side is taking Russia's proposal seriously," he said. "There is no progress on the agenda to prevent NATO enlargement. This is a big problem," he said. I urged him to make a concession.

On the other hand, Deputy Secretary Sherman emphasized that the issue of NATO is unacceptable, saying that "it is very difficult for the Russian side to carry out constructive and productive diplomacy without relieving tensions. We will determine if Russia will try to ease tensions, "he emphasized that it is important to withdraw Russian troops first.



"If Russia invades Ukraine, it will pay a huge price," he reiterated that he is preparing countermeasures.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, talks are scheduled to continue, such as a meeting between NATO and Russia in Brussels, Belgium on the 12th, and as the size of the gap between the two becomes clear again, tensions will be eased. The focus is on finding a clue to the point.

Former Ukrainian Ambassador to Ukraine "Time to solve some complex problems"

Regarding a series of talks between Europe, the United States and Russia over the situation in Ukraine, Steven Pifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine and a senior researcher at the Brookings Institution, said, "The purpose of the Byden administration is if Russia used force against Ukraine. If so, tell them that you will pay a huge price and see if Russia is ready to negotiate seriously. "



He added, "There are some complicated problems, and it takes time to solve them. What I hope is that there will be clear discussions after a series of discussions." He showed the recognition that if we can agree on the continuation of, we can evaluate it as a result.



"It's a really big question," he said of Russia's call for NATO to not expand further. The purpose is to deny the request and use it as an excuse to use force against Ukraine. It may be ", he showed a sense of caution.



Meanwhile, regarding the countermeasures that the West is considering when Russia invades Ukraine, Mr. Paifer will strengthen military support to Ukraine and Eastern Europe and operate a communication network for international payments between banks, SWIFT. = The "International Interbank Communication Association" pointed out that economic sanctions to block Russian banks could be considered.

Background of the situation in Ukraine

ウクライナでは、2014年に、ロシアがクリミア半島を一方的に併合し、その後も、東部地域で親ロシア派の武装勢力とウクライナ政府軍との間で戦闘が続いています。



このウクライナ国境周辺では、去年11月ごろから、ロシア軍が9万人以上とされる大規模な部隊を展開し、ウクライナのほか、アメリカなどNATO＝北大西洋条約機構の加盟国は警戒を強めてきました。



先月には、アメリカの有力紙、ワシントン・ポストが、アメリカ政府の分析として、ロシア軍が今後、部隊を最大17万5000人規模にまで増強し、ことし初めにもウクライナに攻勢をかける可能性があると伝えました。



アメリカのバイデン大統領は先月7日、ロシアのプーチン大統領とオンラインで首脳会談を行い、ロシアが軍事的な攻勢に出れば経済制裁で応じると警告し、緊張の緩和を求めました。



これに対しプーチン大統領は、ロシアの国境付近で軍事力を増強するなど緊張を高めているのは、むしろアメリカなどNATO側だと強調しました。



さらにロシア側は、アメリカとNATOに対して、NATOのさらなる拡大やウクライナなどでのいかなる軍事活動も行わないと法的に保証するよう求めて、新たな協定などの草案まで公開することで、アメリカ側に交渉に応じるよう迫りました。



プーチン大統領は先月23日に行った年末恒例の記者会見で「ボールは相手側にある」と述べ、アメリカから譲歩を引き出したい考えを示したのに続いて、先月30日にはバイデン大統領と電話会談を行い、緊張緩和に向けた話し合いを続けていくことを確認しました。



今月10日にはスイスのジュネーブでアメリカとロシアの双方の高官による協議が行われたのに続き、12日にはベルギーのブリュッセルでNATOとロシアとの間でウクライナ情勢をめぐって会合が開催されます。



Furthermore, on the 13th, a meeting of OSCE = Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be held in Vienna, Austria, where Russia will join along with Europe and the United States to monitor the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.



The key is whether both sides can find a compromise through these discussions and help alleviate tensions.