US, Russia to try more diplomacy amid tensions over Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken greets Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier than their assembly, Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Geneva, Switzerland.

• 
• 
• 
• 

GENEVA (AP) — Prime U.S. and Russian diplomats agreed Friday to maintain speaking within the standoff over Ukraine, although their assembly produced no motion within the disaster that has seen Moscow mass tens of 1000's of troops on the border and the West ramp up provides of weapons to Kyiv.

With fears of an invasion of Ukraine operating excessive and seemingly intractable calls for, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov met for about 90 minutes in Geneva at what the American mentioned was a “important second.”

Expectations have been low stepping into, and there was no breakthrough.

Blinken advised Lavrov the U.S. would give Russia written responses to Moscow’s proposals subsequent week and recommended the 2 would seemingly meet once more shortly after that — providing some hope that any invasion can be delayed for at the very least a number of extra days.

Blinken mentioned the U.S. and its allies stay resolute in rejecting Russia’s most vital calls for, which have been reiterated Friday. Moscow desires NATO to vow that Ukraine won't ever be added as a member, that no alliance weapons will probably be deployed close to Russian borders, and that it pull again its forces from Central and Japanese Europe.

Regardless of that, there was no indication the U.S. responses can be any totally different from the flat-out rejections already expressed by Washington and its allies, clouding future diplomatic efforts.

“We didn’t count on any main breakthroughs to occur at this time, however I imagine we at the moment are on a clearer path to understanding one another’s positions,” Blinken mentioned after the assembly.

Blinken mentioned he additionally wished to make use of the chance to share immediately with Lavrov some “concrete concepts to handle a number of the issues that you've got raised, in addition to the deep issues that many people have about Russia’s actions.”

Blinken mentioned Lavrov repeated Russia’s insistence that it has no plans to invade Ukraine, however the U.S. and its allies weren't satisfied.

“We’re taking a look at what's seen to all, and it's deeds and actions and never phrases that make all of the distinction,” he mentioned, including that Russia ought to take away its troops from the Ukrainian border if it wished to show its level.

Lavrov, in the meantime, known as the talks “constructive and helpful” however declined to characterize the U.S. pledge.

“I can’t say whether or not we're heading in the right direction or not,” he advised reporters. “We'll perceive that after we obtain the U.S. written response to all of our proposals.”

Blinken recommended there was no leeway on Russia’s calls for, saying firmly: “There isn't a commerce house there: None.”

The U.S. and its allies say Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the calls for are nonstarters, including that they’re open to less-dramatic strikes.

Blinken mentioned the U.S. can be open to a gathering between Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, if it might be “helpful and productive.” The 2 have met as soon as in individual in Geneva and have had a number of digital conversations on Ukraine which have confirmed largely inconclusive.

An estimated 100,000 Russian troops have been despatched to areas close to Ukraine, and extra have been transferring into the neighborhood for coaching workouts with neighboring Belarus.

Western allies have been supplying weaponry and tools to Ukraine. Britain despatched anti-tank missiles earlier this week, whereas the protection ministers of the Baltic nations issued an announcement saying they obtained U.S. approval to ship Stinger air protection missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles to strengthen Kyiv’s defenses.

“Right this moment Ukraine is on the forefront of separating Europe from the navy battle with Russia,” mentioned Estonian Protection Minister Kalle Laanet. “Let´s face it -- the battle in Ukraine is ongoing and you will need to assist Ukraine in each approach we will in order that they'll resist the aggressor.”

The Pentagon mentioned the usHarry S Truman plane provider and its strike group will take part in a NATO maritime train within the Mediterranean, which is able to proceed by way of Feb. 4 — one thing that has been deliberate since 2020, mentioned Pentagon press secretary John Kirby. He mentioned officers thought of whether or not to go forward with the train, due to the continuing tensions, and determined to maneuver forward.

Kirby mentioned the train wasn’t deliberate anticipating a Russian transfer on Ukraine and is “not designed towards any of the sorts of situations that may occur with respect to Ukraine.”

On Thursday, Russia had introduced sweeping naval maneuvers by way of February, some apparently within the Black Sea.

The U.S. and its allies scrambled to current a united entrance. Washington and its allies have repeatedly promised penalties equivalent to biting financial sanctions towards Russia — although not navy motion — if it invades.

Blinken repeated that Friday, saying the U.S. and its allies have been dedicated to diplomacy but in addition dedicated “if that proves inconceivable, and Russia decides to pursue aggression towards Ukraine, to a united, swift and extreme response.”

After the assembly, Blinken spoke by telephone with Ukrainian International Minister Dmytro Kuleba to transient him on his talks this week and reaffirm U.S. assist for Kyiv’s sovereignty and stress that no selections can be made with out his nation’s enter, State Division spokesman Ned Worth mentioned. He additionally will transient the overseas ministers of Washington’s European allies.

Biden plans to spend the weekend huddling together with his nationwide safety staff at Camp David, press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned.

In different diplomatic strikes, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland mentioned he spoke with Putin by telephone on European safety and Ukraine, saying it was “crucial to protect peace in Europe,” in keeping with his workplace.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of NATO member Turkey, which touted its robust ties with Russia and Ukraine, renewed a proposal to mediate between the 2 international locations. Erdogan mentioned he plans to go to Kyiv subsequent month, including that he would additionally maintain talks with Putin.

Ukraine is already beset by battle. Russia seized management of Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014 and backed a separatist insurgency in japanese Ukraine, a part of a simmering however largely stalemated battle that has killed 14,000. Putin confronted restricted worldwide penalties for these strikes, however the West says a brand new invasion can be totally different.

Blinken met Ukraine’s president in Kyiv and high diplomats from Britain, France and Germany in Berlin this week.

Blinken’s effort to emphasize U.S. unity with its allies took an obvious hit Wednesday when Biden drew widespread criticism for saying retaliation for Russian aggression in Ukraine would rely upon the small print and that a “minor incursion” might immediate discord amongst Western allies.

On Thursday, Biden sought to make clear his feedback by cautioning that any Russian troop actions throughout Ukraine’s border would represent an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy value” for such an motion.

“I’ve been completely clear with President Putin,” Biden mentioned. “He has no misunderstanding: Any, any assembled Russian models transfer throughout the Ukrainian border, that's an invasion.”

Including to its warnings, Washington stepped up sanctions Thursday by slapping new measures on 4 Ukrainian officers who Blinken mentioned have been on the middle of a Kremlin effort begun in 2020 to break Kyiv’s capability to “independently perform.”

America and allies say international locations like Ukraine are entitled to their very own alliances as a part of sovereign safety measures, however Lavrov countered that Group for Safety and Cooperation in Europe have additionally agreed that no nation can guarantee its safety by undermining safety of others.

In japanese Ukraine, a soldier stationed close to the entrance line with Russia-backed separatists known as Blinken’s go to to Kyiv “crucial for our nation.” The soldier, who recognized himself solely by his first title, Serhiy, consistent with official guidelines, voiced hope that if Russia attacked, “we will depend on our forces’ and our allies’ energy.“

___

Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed.