Ryabkov called the "reason in the foreground" that prevents the end of the conflict with the West

Stopping the expansion of NATO is the most pressing issue for Russia, the settlement of the current conflict with the West is impossible without it. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

"Practical steps are required from the American side aimed at eliminating the root causes of fundamental contradictions between us in the field of security. Among these reasons in the foreground is the expansion of NATO. Without solving this fundamental and most acute problem for us, it is simply impossible to resolve the current conflict in the Euro—Atlantic," he said in an interview with TASS.

According to Ryabkov, "it seems that Washington is still aware of the multilayered nature of the current situation and therefore is in no hurry to put forward early initiatives on arms control."

"In any case, we have not received any specifics on this from the American side," the diplomat said.