President Vladimir Putin of Russia warned he will consider a variety of options if Western powers do not meet his requests for security guarantees as NATO pushes into Ukraine, according to The Associated Press.
Russia has made its security demand in the face of mounting frictions over Russia's recent army buildup near the borders of Ukraine, which has fuelled Western concerns of an invasion.
U.S. President Joe Biden warned Putin earlier this month in a video conversation that Russia would face "grave repercussions" if it attacked Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Moscow submitted draft security documents requesting that NATO deny Ukraine and other former Soviet republics membership and withdraw its military presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
Russia has denied any intention of initiating an invasion and Ukraine has accused Moscow of plotting plans to recapture territory controlled by Moscow-backed rebels through force. Ukraine has denied the allegation.
Putin has urged the West to act swiftly to meet his demands, saying that Moscow will be forced to take "appropriate military-technical measures" if the West continues on its "aggressive path."
The U.S. and its partners have refused to provide Russia with the type of guarantee on Ukraine that Putin desires, citing NATO's principle of open membership. They did agree, though, to begin security discussions with Russia next month in order to address the latter's concerns.
Putin stated that the talks with the U.S. will take place in Geneva. Concurrently, talks between Russia and NATO are planned, as are broader consultations under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Putin reiterated that NATO membership for Ukraine or the deployment of alliance weaponry, there is a red line for Moscow that the West would not cross.
He expressed fear that the U.S. and its allies will try to prolong the security discussions as a cover for a military buildup near Russia.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said on Sunday that a Ukrainian offensive against rebel-held territory would have "severe implications" for Ukraine's statehood, adding that "they know it well in Kyiv and they know it well in Washington."
Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and quickly backed a separatist rebellion in the country's east.
Over 14,000 people have died as a result of the fighting in Ukraine's industrial heartland, known as the Donbas, which has lasted more than seven years.
