Sergei Ryabkov: We need a new level of work within the CSTO, its parliamentary component is key here

Sergei Ryabkov, deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, addressed a meeting of the chairpersons of the CSTO parliamentary committees, whose mandate includes international relations, in the Russian State Duma.
“Russia insists on ending military cooperation of the bloc with post-Soviet states, refraining from establishing military bases on their territories, restricting the deployment of strike capabilities near the Russian border, withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Europe. Most importantly, Russia needs guarantees that NATO will not expand eastwards,” Sergei Ryabkov said, summing up the progress of Russia-US and Russia-NATO talks on security guarantees.
“It is clear to us that the urgency of security guarantees, the acuteness of the situation that has emerged as a result of the unrestrained expansion of NATO and the military and technical exploration of the territories of the states that join the Alliance require mobilization of political resources in the broadest sense,” the Russian deputy Foreign Minister said.
“We are talking about key aspects of ensuring the security and well-being of our states. The consolidating role of the CSTO, which has effectively demonstrated its capabilities and its peacekeeping functions during the recent tragic events in Kazakhstan, is undeniable. Representatives of the West will have to reckon with this,” Sergei Ryabkov said.
Sergei Ryabkov underscored the need to demonstrate a new level of work within the CSTO in the area of diplomacy and foreign policy: “Its parliamentary component plays a key central role and requires additional attention, additional efforts, in my view, including from the chairpersons of the parliaments of the CSTO Member States.”