Kremlin: Deployment of Weapons Near Russia to Require Measures to Balance Situation

"It's no secret that, of course, the deployment of various types of weapons at our borders, which may pose a threat to us, will require appropriate steps to be taken in order to balance the situation. Very different options are possible here", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The statement from the Kremlin follows Russian diplomats warning earlier in the day that the country is waiting for an answer to its proposals for security guarantees.

U.S. Soldiers depart Forward Operating Base Baylough, Afghanistan

CC BY 2.0 / Staff Sgt. William Tremblay/The U.S. Army / Afghanistan patrol

Konstantin Gavrilov, who heads the Russian delegation at the arms control negotiations in Vienna, warned NATO against "constantly hitting Russia's weak spots", and called for de-escalation, saying that the alternative is military-technical and military responses from Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry previously published two draft agreements regarding security guarantees between the Russian Federation, the United States, and NATO. The proposals suggest NATO won't expand further into Eastern Europe and prohibit the US and Russia from deploying intermediate and short-range missiles within striking distance of each other's territory. It will also limit troop, warship, and aircraft deployment for both sides to curb tensions.

Putin-Zelensky Meeting

Commenting on Russia-Ukraine ties, Peskov noted that the Kremlin has not received any specific proposals from Kiev regarding a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Well, in fact, there is no substantive preparation for a meeting of the two presidents, we did not receive any specific proposals from our Ukrainian colleagues. Therefore, this factor can hardly play any role here", he said.

The spokesman also dismissed the wording of a Ukrainian bill on granting citizenship to Russians persecuted for "their political beliefs".

"There is no one in Russia who is persecuted for political reasons. There is legislation, and according to the current legislation, people are prosecuted for suspicion of committing certain crimes, but there is no political prosecution in Russia, so the wording here is absolutely incorrect in its essence", Peskov said.