Blinken said he also urged Lavrov to honor the Turkey-brokered grain export deal. According to the US chief diplomat, he also found clear words about any plans by Moscow to annex additional areas of Ukraine currently occupied by the Russian military. Blinken said he told Lavrov that this would mean “additional costs” for Russia.
On the possible release of basketball player Brittney Griner and former US soldier Paul Whelan imprisoned in Russia, Blinken said he had urged Moscow to accept Washington’s “serious proposal” for their release. According to media reports, the US plan communicated weeks ago includes an exchange of the two US citizens with the Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, who is in prison in the US.
