The Russian side will not tolerate any preconditions imposed by the United States to further formalise the security guarantees offered by Russia.

Before discussing a face-to-face meeting between Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, it is necessary to understand what the US and EU response will be to the draft security guarantee agreement that Russia sent them in December.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a telephone conversation with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel in which he assessed the actions of the Ukrainian authorities.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has raised the combat readiness of the 40,000-strong rapid reaction group due to the build-up of the Russian contingent near the Ukrainian border.