On Wednesday, one of Russia’s most senior diplomats accused America and West of inciting a new Cold War through betraying their trust after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
This comes as tension is high, with Russian troops advancing along the Ukrainian border. Both sides are accusing each other of provocations.
As each of them tries to convince the other, President Joe Biden will talk to Vladimir Putin by telephone on Thursday.
Against that backdrop, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky told reporters that the U.S. was responsible for ramping up tensions by viewing Russia as a threat, after relations improved following the end of the Soviet Union.
According to the Russian state media agency TASS, he stated that everyone thought that the West was our friend and that they are helping us live in a better place.
“But, eventually, things turned around very quickly.”
Dmitry Polyanskiy, the first Deputy Permanent Representative for Russia to the United Nations, stated that the U.S.A and West are responsible for the start of Cold War 2.0
After a meeting via video to discuss tensions within Ukraine, Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin will be having a telephone conversation on Thursday.
Russian troops are gathered along Ukraine’s border, raising concerns about an imminent invasion
Russian officials are concerned that NATO may be closing in on them and have set red lines for Ukraine’s joining of the alliance.
Officials claim that 100,000 Russian soldiers have been sent to the Ukrainian border, but it’s a defensive move.
Polyansky stated that the West has long attempted to undermine Russia in his remarks.
“We discovered that the motives of our coworkers aren’t as innocent as we thought,” he stated.
“We saw many Americans and Europeans abuse our country. They tried to destroy it and to divide it further. To promote separatism and encourage divisions between Russia’s newly created states.
He continued that although the 10 first years of Russia’s modern history were difficult, things have changed since 2000.
He said, “We have been perceived as a menace by the West, and by the United States,”
“What’s happening now is a kind of remake of Cold War 2.0.
He added that the West and East did not need to be at odds.
Ukrainian tanks are being moved to Luhansk. Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russia may plan to invade Ukraine during January. Moscow denied this.
America has warned Putin for several weeks about his plans to invade Ukraine with tens or thousands of soldiers, tanks and artillery. However, the Kremlin maintains that it is only a defence force.
He stated that Russia and no other country promotes communist ideologies. However, the economic structure of Russia is similar to the United States or any other west country. But confrontation exists as well as efforts to paint Russia as an adversary.
“It brings to your attention some conclusions that this question wasn’t one of ideology, but geopolitical struggle. This is unfortunately back in existence now.
Emily Horne, National Security Council spokesperson, said that the leaders of both countries would have a call to discuss “a wide range of topics”, including future diplomatic engagements.
This call is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. It will mark the second contact between Biden, Putin, this month, as the U.S. tries to force Russia to lower its military threat towards Ukraine.
According to senior officials in the administration, the Russian leader requested that they have a conversation.
Biden agreed because “he believes that direct leader-to-leader dialogue and engagement is the only way to go, especially when it is about Russia and his engagement with President Putin,” the official said.
Putin can be assured that there are diplomatic options to ease tensions. However, he must expect to face consequences if the invasion of Ukraine occurs.
The official said that President Biden would also communicate with Putin when he talks to him about diplomacy. We are ready to respond in case Russia invades Ukraine again.
Russia accuses the West of provocation by admitting ex-Soviet states to NATO. It has also gathered an estimated 50,000 troops at the border.
Officials in Ukraine fear that an invasion might occur during the New Year.
Moscow repeatedly denies that it plans to invade.
Putin said on Sunday that he will look at a variety of options should the West fail to give security guarantees to Ukraine in order not allow it join NATO.
Moscow demanded NATO to deny Ukraine membership and all other former Soviet states earlier this month.
Putin said that Moscow must take military-technical steps if the West continues to be aggressive.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday about the tensions and outlined Biden’s call with Putin.
In a tweet, he stated that ‘we will continue to consult with Ukraine and NATO allies as well as partners in our diplomatic attempts to deter any further Russian aggression.’