Earlier this month, Russia invited NATO to sign a security assurance agreement that would prevent countries of the former Soviet Union from joining the organization.
Moscow made the offer amid tensions over an increase in Russian troops near the Ukrainian border in recent weeks, fueling Western fears of a possible invasion.
US President Joe Biden warned Putin during a video call in early December that Russia would face “serious consequences” if it attacks Ukraine.
For its part, Russia denied its intention to launch an invasion and accused Ukraine of plans to try to regain control over territories held by rebels and supported by Moscow, which Ukraine rejected.
More than 10,000 Russian soldiers returned to their bases on Saturday after months of training in southern Russia, especially near the Ukrainian border, amid escalating tensions.
Putin urged the West to act quickly to comply with his demands, warning that Moscow will have to take “appropriate military-technical measures” if the West continues its “aggressive” course at the country’s “doorstep”.
When asked to clarify what Moscow’s reaction would be, Putin said in statements on Russian state television that “things could have been different.”
“It will depend on the proposals that our military specialists send me,” he added.
The United States and its allies have refused to provide Russia with the guarantees Putin wants for Ukraine, citing the NATO principle that membership is open to any qualified country. However, they agreed to begin security talks with Russia next month to discuss their concerns.
Putin said that talks with the United States would be held in Geneva. At the same time, talks are planned between Russia and NATO, and broader discussions are expected under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
In his televised speeches today, Putin said that Russia had put forward its proposal in the hope of a constructive response from the West.
“We did this not only to see that it was blocked … but in order to achieve an agreed diplomatic result, which would be recorded in legally binding documents,” added the Russian leader.
