The war escalation remains a threat but diplomacy has achieved an ‘extra life’.
After a week of Ultimatums of Russia and US warnings Both powers decided to continue talking about everything.
The Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov said Friday that the Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, promised him during the Joint Meeting that held in Geneva that the US would present a written response to Moscow’s proposals in a week
Requirements for safety guarantees.
“We have finished the meeting with a consensus that we are going to receive a written response,” was congratulated Lavrov, who pointed out that “Russia has never threatened the Ukrainian people” and added that his country “has no plans to attack Ukraine.”
During his press conference after his meeting with the US Secretary of State, Lavrov said he hoped that emotions be calmed around Ukraine.
Lavrov rated negotiations of useful and reiterated its call to the US to influence Kiev to comply with Minsk’s agreements.
“Blinken has told me that he is satisfied with the exchange of opinions that he was, something that will help them next week when they introduce us a written reaction,” said Lavrov.
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A Lavrov was asked about the possibility of a summit between President Vladimir Putin and the president of the United States, Joe Biden.
Lavrov asked patience: “We no longer, President Putin is always ready for contacts with President Biden, it is clear that these contacts should be prepared seriously,” he said.
Blinken warned that the invasion of Ukraine would only strengthen the same trends that Russia sees with concern: more NATO forces near its borders.
“We have been clear: if some Russian military force crosses the Ukrainian border, it is a new invasion. It will meet a rapid, severe and united response from the United States and our partners and allies,” Blinken at his press conference
in Geneva.
The head of US diplomacy wanted to be diaogated, but also firm: “We advocate diplomacy and dialogue but at the same time we are embarked on a defense and deterrence strategy.”
That is why during his meeting he asked Lavrov to explain from the perspective of Russia how they see that the actions they have taken serve to promote their strategic safety and interests.
“If Russia wants to begin to convince the world that it has no aggressive intention to Ukraine, a good starting point would be the desired, the withdrawal of those forces from the Ukrainian border,” Blinken said.
He also confirmed that more security help is scheduled to Ukraine for the coming weeks.
And he did not reject a meeting between Biden and Putin “if it proves to be useful.” Blinken seemed to rule out an armed NATO intervention.
He put on the table the commitment of him with the famous article V of Common Defense, which extends to the NATO allies, but remembering that Ukraine is not covered by that commitment.
The conversation with Lavrov was not marked by the controversies that have jumped these days to the media.
He described it “as direct and professional”. The US Secretary of State told journalists that he has agreed to share with Russia speak in more detail in writing next week.
According to him, he said, both he and Lavrov agreed that it was important that the diplomatic process will continue.
