Japan Times: Putin’s silence in response to the US and NATO letter is a signal to the West
Photo: Alexey Nikolsky / RIA Novosti
The silence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a letter from the United States and NATO on security guarantees is a signal to Western countries. The Japanese newspaper Japan Times named three possible reasons for the silence of the Russian leader in response to the proposals put forward by Washington and the alliance.
The publication drew attention to the fact that since the last annual press conference, the Russian president has no longer commented on the situation related to the growing military tension in Ukraine. The media suggested that this is a kind of warning.
Japan Times asked for clarification from the expert of the Carnegie Moscow Center Tatiana Stanovoy, who has been engaged in operational analysis of the political process in Russia for many years. According to her, Putin’s “silence” has three possible explanations.
“Having set out his tough position at the end of last year and demanding immediate concessions from the West, Putin may not see the point in repeating himself, leaving minor matters to his diplomats. It is also possible that he sees a glimmer of hope for a deal and does not want to say anything about it yet. Or he has already decided on a military course of action and is preparing for its implementation, waiting for an official response,” the newspaper reports the expert’s words.
Earlier, Washington gave Russia a written response to the proposals on security guarantees. The message was brought to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan on Wednesday, January 26, and handed over to Deputy Minister Alexander Grushko.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that after receiving a written response from the United States, the Russian Foreign Ministry and other agencies will prepare proposals for further steps for President Vladimir Putin. Depending on the content of the response, decisions will be made on further actions and appropriate recommendations will be developed.
