According to the Russian foreign ministry, Russia is contemplating a NATO request to discuss its security concerns. The tensions between Russia and Ukraine are now putting the western world on edge. Russia has up its military presence along its Ukrainian border. Russia released a wish list of security measures last week. Among the demands is that NATO cease all military operations in Eastern Europe and Ukraine. "We have received this (NATO) offer and are considering it," the foreign ministry said.

Russia may be preparing an attack of its former Soviet neighbour, according to the United States and Ukraine. Russia rejects this, claiming that the escalated stalemate is due to Ukraine's developing connection with NATO. It has been compared to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, during which the world was on the verge of nuclear war.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia wished to avoid violence but required a "immediate" response to its requests for security assurances from the US and its allies. Moscow has stated that negotiations with US authorities on the matter will begin in Geneva in January.

Some of Russia's security recommendations are manifestly unacceptable, according to US President Joe Biden's administration, but Washington will react with more precise views on the framework of any negotiations.Vice President Kamala Harris stated in an interview with CBS' "Face The Nation" that Washington has been in direct talks with Moscow about the matter and reiterated the US commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity.

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