Thread by @DAlperovitch

Ryabkov holds a press briefing in Geneva right now.

‘The American side approached the negotiations very seriously'

Ryabkov insists Russia needs a legally binding agreement on NATO expansion block

Ryabkov says unsurprisingly the American side came with their own grievances

Ryabkov: ‘We don’t have an intention to attack Ukraine… There is no reason to believe in any escalatory scenario'

Ryabkov is being very positive in the press conference but ‘key issues are still pending’.

As long as they keep talking, it is a good outcome

Ryabkov: ‘It should be NATO making the first step not Russia'

Ryabkov: ‘For the first time in diplomatic practice, the draft treaties were drafted in advance and publicized… We were blamed for applying pressure.. You can call it whatever you want. We are doing exactly what we think is right. Diplomacy is all about finding a compromise'

Ryabkov: ‘We would like to continue the dialogue… There is a basis to reach an agreement’

VERY positive talk…

Ryabkov: ‘Other than sanctions, they do not have any tools in their arsenal'

Ryabkov: ‘It came as no surprise to us that on NATO expansion and legal guarantees - the Americans rejected our position'

Ryabkov: ‘Their rejection on NATO expansion is not good because they do not understand the seriousness of the matter… But I don’t think the situation is hopeless'

Ryabkov: ‘The range of questions are very complicated and intertwined… But on general direction we are moving along. We want to see what happens on Jan 12 and Jan 14 with NATO and OSCE'

Ryabkov refers to START treaty being negotiated in record time in 8 months and emphasizes the need to work in that spirit now.

8 months is very optimistic/unrealistic timeline but at least they are backing off from talk of ‘immediate’ resolution

Of course, the troops on Ukraine’s border won’t stay there for 8 months. So even that timeline is a positive sign

Ryabkov: In the next few days it will be clear if there will be further rounds of talks on stability talks

Ryabkov: ‘Ukraine and Georgia will NEVER EVER become members of NATO. We are fed up with loose talk, half promises, misinterpretrations of what happened in past negotiations. We need iron-clad, water-proof, legally binding guarantees. Not assurances, guarantees'

Ryabkov on Iranian JCPOA talks. ‘The talks are ongoing. We think the chance of getting an agreement are increasing. All parties are demonstrating their willingness to find a solution'

Ryabkov: ‘I would like to underscore that the question of non expansion of NATO in legally binding form is top priority for us… We didn’t hear anything about our top priority. That’s the problem we are facing now'

Ryabkov is separating the Strategic Stability Dialogue talks (will continue) from the Security Guarantees talks (remains to be seen if will continue).

US position is that there is only Strategic Stability Dialogue and today was an extraordinary session of it

Ryabkov: ‘We know that legally binding guarantees are a complex technical matter that may require ratification and will take time. But that’s a secondary matter. We do not even see political will to move on this issue'

Ryabkov: ‘'We are concerned about provocations on the part of Ukraine-on their own or in cooperation with Western countries, like US and UK, which may create a situation where probability for some clashes will grow. We need to avoid it. Diplomacy should have an upper hand’

WRAP