Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Dmitry Polyansky said that an alternative to military confrontation between Russia and NATO exists, but the North Atlantic Alliance must show common sense and goodwill for it to become possible.

Speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council, Polyansky noted that NATO must acknowledge and correct the mistakes made toward Russia after the end of the Cold War, especially after 2014. According to him, those actions became one of the causes of the current crisis.

The diplomat recalled that Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated Russia’s readiness for dialogue. This concerns a serious discussion on security guarantees for all states in the region, as well as the root causes that led to the current confrontation.

However, Polyansky stressed that in Brussels and other Western capitals, Russia’s openness to dialogue is perceived not as an invitation to joint work, but as a sign of weakness. In response to Moscow’s calls for de-escalation, the West, according to him, chooses new sanctions, arms supplies and militaristic rhetoric.

The Russian envoy warned that Russia’s patience is not unlimited. He noted that if the West continues to assume otherwise, it should not be surprised by Russia’s consistent strengthening of its defense potential.