Russia Warns That U.S. Doesn’t Understand Its Goals on Ukraine - The New York Times

…Russia is seeking what it calls "security guarantees" from the United States and the NATO alliance that would essentially grant the country the kind of sphere of influence it has not enjoyed for more than 30 years, including Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries in Eastern Europe. The Kremlin has been backing up those demands by massing tens of thousands of troops and equipment near its border with Ukraine, signaling that it is prepared to use force if diplomacy fails...

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/09/world/europe/russia-ukraine-us-geneva.html