Russia will release its US response on security assurances hours after handing over the document to Washington; this will happen on February 17th. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a press conference following talks with his Italian counterpart Luigi di Maio, RIA Novosti reports.

“We plan to send both in paper and electronic form,” the Russian minister said.

On February 15, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the preparation of Russia's response to the United States and NATO on security guarantees was in its final stages.

The United States and NATO refused to sign a treaty on security guarantees in Europe, which was proposed by Russia. Western partners do not agree with the demand not to accept former Soviet countries into the alliance, which was supposed to be part of the agreement with Moscow. In addition, the US and NATO have accused Russia of "breaking the trust" that underpins cooperation between the countries because of the situation around Ukraine. Nevertheless, the West is ready to continue discussing with Moscow measures for joint disarmament and de-escalation.

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