US-Russia dialogue on Ukraine ends again, but agrees to ease tensions

GENEVA, KOMPAS.com – The diplomats are tall United States of America (AS) and Russia on Friday (22/1/2022) agreed to defuse tensions over the Ukraine.

Washington promised a written response to Russia’s security requirements next week and did not rule out a presidential meeting.

For 90 minutes, US Secretary of State Antony Blink discussed with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland.

Also read: UN warns Russia not to invade Ukraine

Russia’s Foreign Ministry later said Lavrov gave a serious warning if Washington continued to ignore Moscow’s security demands.

On the other hand, Blinken told reporters that no major breakthroughs took place during the meeting as reported AFP.

However, he believes both sides are on a clear path to understanding each other’s concerns and positions.

He also hopes to share with Russia his concerns and ideas in more detail in writing next week and follow up with further discussions.

Also read: Ukraine calls Russian aggression real, hopes to prioritize peaceful diplomacy

Separately, Lavrov told reporters, “Blinken agrees that we need to have a reasonable dialogue, and I hope the emotions will subside.”

He added that another meeting between the US and Russia could be held at another time.

But he said it was too early to start talking about another high-level meeting between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Biden and Putin will meet face-to-face in Geneva in June 2021.

Also read: Tensions in Ukraine So Hot, US-Russia Holds Emergency Meeting

Blinken has not ruled out fresh inter-presidential talks after Biden twice warned Putin by telephone about the consequences for any invasion of Ukraine.

The Biden administration has also advocated for more transparency about military exercises.

Russia has not rejected the request. On Thursday (20/1/2022) Moscow announced a massive naval exercise as a show of force.

Blinken said he had asked Lavrov to prove that Russia had no intention of attacking Ukraine.

Also read: Does Russia Really Want to Invade Ukraine? This is a possibility…

He also advised Moscow to start de-escalating tensions by withdrawing the troops on the Ukrainian border.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be against international law.

“I’m sure it won’t happen,” Guterres added.

Russian lawmakers have submitted a bill that would require Putin to recognize the independence of two pro-Moscow separatist regions in Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency on Friday accused Russia of sending new weapons and equipment to separatists there since earlier this month.

Also read: Biden Believes Russia Will Attack Ukraine, Here’s His Prediction…

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