Russian leader Vladimir Putin has presented US President Joe Biden with a demand for legally binding security guarantees that would rule out the expansion of NATO, the Kremlin says, after virtual talks between the two leaders.
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During two hours of discussions with Biden on a video call, Putin said NATO was bolstering its military capability near Russia's borders and "making dangerous attempts to conquer Ukrainian territory", the Kremlin said in a statement.
"Therefore, Russia is seriously interested in obtaining reliable, legally fixed guarantees that rule out NATO expansion eastward and the deployment of offensive strike weapons systems in states adjacent to Russia."
Russian authorities have said NATO's growing ties with Ukraine, and the possibility of the alliance deploying missiles targeted against Russia there, was a "red line" it would not allow to be crossed.
Putin also told his US counterpart he wanted guarantees offensive strike systems would not be deployed in countries close to Russia, the Kremlin said.
It said Putin presented the Russian demands in response to Biden's threat of sanctions against Moscow if the current tensions over Ukraine escalated.
He also repeated Moscow's accusation Ukraine was taking a "destructive line" with a view to dismantling agreements from 2014 and 2015 aimed at ending its conflict with Russian-backed separatists.
The two leaders agreed to get their representatives to engage in "substantive consultations on these sensitive issues", the Kremlin said.
The talks were held as the West voiced concerns Russia will invade Ukraine and warned of "strong economic and other measures" as punishment should Moscow start a military conflict.
US officials said before the video conference that Biden would tell Putin Russia and its banks could be hit with the toughest economic sanctions yet if it attacks Ukraine.
The Kremlin, which said before Tuesday's meeting that it did not expect any breakthroughs, has denied harbouring any intention to attack Ukraine and said its troop posture is defensive.
Russia has voiced rising vexation over US military aid to Ukraine, a fellow former Soviet republic that has tilted towards the West since a popular revolt toppled a pro-Russian president in 2014, and what it calls creeping NATO expansion to the east.
Russia has likewise questioned Ukrainian intentions and said it wants guarantees that officials in Kiev will not use force to try to retake territory lost in 2014 to Russia-backed separatists, a scenario Ukraine has ruled out.
Australian Associated Press
