Important summit for Ukraine: In full tension, US and Russia seek to “calm emotions”, resume talks next week

Geneva.- US Secretary of State, Anthony Blink, And Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, Today he met for an hour and a half at a luxury hotel in Geneva Last attempt at dialogue and negotiation agreement, Despite that Both parties adhere to their policy Red lines at irreversible moment.

The United States has promised a “next week” written response to Russia’s demands for a NATO withdrawal from Eastern Europe. After “open” talks about the crisis in Ukraine, Lavrov and Blinken said.

The Russian ambassador said they agreed at the meeting “Reasonable conversation is essential” so “emotions calm down”. “I can not say whether we are on the right track or not.” Lavrov said. “We know when we get the American response on paper to all the points of our proposals,” he said.

For his part, Blingen insisted on it His country “is ready to retaliate against the Russian occupation, even if it is not militarily” And asked his co Proof that they do not want to invade Ukraine.

As for Washington, there is a possibility of an invasion of Ukraine More and more opportunity. For several weeks, about 100,000 soldiers were stationed on the Ukrainian border.

The Kremlin denies any war intentions, but imposes conditions on NATO to expand and expand agreements guaranteeing the practical withdrawal of the Atlantic Alliance from Eastern Europe. Conditions that Westerners consider unacceptable.

Experienced negotiators Blingen and Lavrov have known each other for a long time. Secretary of State for Joe Biden Renowned for his unshakable tranquility and superiority Vladimir Putin Who is known to be angry.

“We do not expect our differences to be resolved here today. But I hope and wish that we can test whether the path of diplomacy and dialogue is open, ”Blinken told Lavro at the beginning of the meeting. “This is an important moment.”

Lavrov, for his part, pointed it out He did not expect “a turning point in these negotiations.” “We expect positive responses to our concrete plans,” he added.

Washington and its allies have promised “severe” consequences, such as strong sanctions, even if there is no military action, if Russia invades again and again.

Blinkon repeated that warning today. He noted that the United States and its partners are committed to diplomacy, but they are also committed “If it proves impossible, Russia will give a united, quick and tough response if it decides to continue its aggression against Ukraine.”

But the highest-ranking representative of US diplomacy said he would like to use the opportunity to share directly with Lavrov. “Conclusive ideas to address some concerns” of the two countries.

The The main goal of Moscow There is Withdraw NATO, Felt as a threat and reminiscent of its successive extensions The humiliation of the fall of the Soviet Union. In this context, Russia today called for the withdrawal of foreign NATO forces from two member states, Bulgaria and Romania.

The United States and its European partners say they are prepared to consider some less harsh gestures, but say Putin knows that Russia’s demands are out of the question and that they are an obstacle. Therefore, they insist Moscow will face severe sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

Friday, German Chancellor, Olaf Scholes, And the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, Warned again that Russia would face “Substantial and serious” costs If he attacks in Ukraine.

One way of negotiating is to work late Interim Nuclear Disarmament Treaty (INF), signed during the Cold War with Russia and exited the United States during the tenure of Donald Trump, which annoyed the Kremlin.

In addition, Biden is set to hold a new summit with Putin after the June 2021 summit in Geneva.

In this context, Ukraine today accuses Russia of continuing to increase exports of arms, ammunition and military equipment. To the separatist-controlled area in the east, including the “many tanks.”

For his part, the head of the Russian lower house, Vyacheslav Volodin, announced that parliament would discuss a request next week. Putin recognizes the independence of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

During a visit to Berlin on Thursday, Blinken warned of a “quick and tough” response from the United States and its allies if an invasion were launched, and the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on four Ukrainian officials. According to the Secretary of State, the four were at the center of the Kremlin’s initiative, which began in 2020 to damage Kiev’s ability to “act independently”.

Blingen sought to unite with Washington’s allies in the face of possible Russian action, and sought to do so on Thursday, a day after receiving widespread criticism for claiming that Biden’s response to his aggression against his neighbor depended on details. then what A “small intrusion” can provoke disagreements between Western partners.

Biden warned on Wednesday that any Russian troop movement on the Ukrainian border would create an invasion and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an operation. Russia has refused to plan such an operation Yesterday he accused the West of plotting “provocations” in Ukraine. Citing the recent supply of weapons to the country by British military transport planes.

AP Agencies, AFP and The New York Times