The White House floated an offer to Russian President Vladimir Putin that would allow Kremlin access to key NATO bases in exchange for Moscow de-escalating tensions over its military buildup on Ukraine’s border.
The proposal was included in Washington’s response last week to Moscow’s demands for so-called “security guarantees” from the West, including barring Ukraine and other former Soviet states from becoming NATO members and rolling back forces from Eastern Europe.
The responses to Russia from the US and NATO were leaked to the Spanish newspaper El Pais and published late Tuesday. The Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of the documents Wednesday. “We did not make this document public,” spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
“But now that it is, it confirms to the entire world what we have always been saying: There is no daylight between our public statements and our private discussions.
NATO and its partners are unified in their resolve and open to constructive and serious diplomacy.
“The United States has gone the extra mile to find a diplomatic solution,” Kirby added. “And if Russia actually wants to negotiate a solution, as it claims it does, this document certainly makes clear that there is a path forward to do so.”
The proposal includes discussions about Russia verifying that the US has not deployed Tomahawk cruise missiles to bases in Romania and Poland, contingent upon agreement from those countries. Russia would also have to provide similar information about bases with ground-launched weapon systems.
The overture appears intended to ease Putin’s fears that the US could target Russia with the missiles.
The five-page US response also indicates willingness to discuss refraining from installing ground-based missile systems or deploy combat forces in Ukraine if Russia agrees to do the same.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the documents, saying “we didn’t release anything.” NATO said it doesn’t comment on “alleged leaks.”
Russia has massed an estimated force of more than 100,000 troops and heavy weaponry along its border with Ukraine, and the US and its allies say an invasion could occur at any time.
Putin has denied Russia is preparing an attack, arguing instead that the presence of US and NATO forces in the region is exacerbating tensions.
In his first public comments Tuesday about the US response to his security demands, Putin said Washington “ignored” Russia’s concerns — but left the door open for more talks.
The leaked documents also included wording that reflected the US stance that “progress can only be achieved on these issues in an environment of de-escalation with respect to Russia’s threatening actions towards Ukraine.”
The revelations in the documents come as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to attend a NATO defense ministerial meeting on Feb. 16-17.
Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said “it is essential for dialogue to continue” after meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday.
If not, he added, “it is clear that further aggression against Ukraine will have serious consequences.”
With Post wires
