Russian diplomat refuses to rule out military deployment to Latin America
A top Russian diplomat on Thursday refused to rule out a military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if the US and allies don't stop military activities on Russia's doorstep.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he could “neither confirm nor exclude” the possibility of Russia sending military assets to Latin America.
“It all depends on the action by our US counterparts,” the minister said in an interview with Russian television network RTVI, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning that Moscow could take unspecified “military-technical measures” if the US and its allies fail to heed its demands.
There are ongoing talks between the US and Russia over a troop buildup near Ukraine.
Western countries have warned Russia of severe consequences if it invades the neighbouring country while Russia has placed demands on NATO not to accept ex-Soviet nations as new members.
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan dismissed Ryabkov's statements on Thursday about a possible Russian deployment to Latin America as “bluster”.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, Sullivan noted that no further talks have been scheduled, but “we’re prepared to continue with diplomacy to advance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic.”
Ryabkov said a refusal by the US and its allies to consider the key Russian demand for guarantees against NATO's expansion to Ukraine and other former Soviet states makes it hard to discuss the confidence-building steps that Washington says it’s ready to negotiate.
“The US wants to conduct a dialogue on some elements of the security situation ... to ease the tensions and then continue the process of geopolitical and military development of the new territories, coming closer to Moscow,” he said. “We have
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