In a recent interview with the Journal de Dimanche, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized the idea of holding a conference with Russia on spheres of influence.
“The idea of holding a new conference where we would again discuss zones of influence, within which the great powers could control what their neighbors can or cannot do, would be a step backwards for us, and it is by no means the right direction,” RBC quoted Stoltenberg as saying.
On December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a draft agreement between Russia and the United States on “security guarantees.” In particular, the Kremlin wants NATO to exclude further expansion and any military activity on the territory of Ukraine, as well as other states in Eastern Europe, Transcaucasia, and Central Asia.
In this regard, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the United States has no plans to abandon the principle that all countries have the right to determine their own future and foreign policy without interference from outside.
