3 KEY MEETINGS FOR DE-ESCALATION OF TENSIONS

1. US-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue ( Geneva, Jan 9-10)  Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman
2. Russia-NATO Council Session (Brussels , January 12 ) NATO's Position: NATO will never compromise with Russia on enlargement, the sovereign right of European countries, and this concerns Ukraine, to choose its own path, as well as the right of NATO states to defend the entire alliance.The NATO countries have a common position and a common approach to Russia. It is based on deterrence and defense, as well as a willingness to defend each other, but it is also open to dialogue. However, any dialogue with Russia must respect the key principles and documents on which peace in Europe has been based for decades, and respond to NATO’s concerns
3. Meeting within the framework of OSCE (Vienna, January 13) with participation of the United States and its NATO allies as well as Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet states (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the forthcoming deliberations beginning from 9th January, 2022 and see whether these meetings succeed in de-escalation of tensions, even if they cannot find a  permanent solution which in any case is not expected at this juncture.

Needless to add that prolonged strained relations between Russia and the USA+Europe would have an adverse impact on the overall security situation in Europe in particular and all over the world in general; the larger issues of global interest such as arms control, cyber security, climate change etc. can also be adversely impacted. In addition, the US-Russia cold war could lead to further geo-strategic polarisation the signs of which are already visible. Further, neutral countries such as India may feel compelled to do a tight rope walk, while safeguarding their national interests.