The meeting was held in Geneva.
Geneva (Switzerland) ended talks between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. It discussed the so-called «security guarantees» for the Russian Federation, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to Channel 24.
Blinken's main statements Diplomacy and dialogue
According to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the American side at the talks in Geneva tried to understand whether Russia intends through diplomacy reduce tension around Ukraine.
«Our task was to find out if the Russian Federation was ready to choose the diplomatic path and other necessary steps to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine and solve our contradictions through diplomacy and dialogue… The discussion with Lavrov was honest and substantive», — noted the US Secretary of State.
The US will respond harshly to any Russian aggression
According to Blinken, the United States will respond harshly to any Russian aggression against its allies. And crossing the border of Ukraine will be regarded as a new invasion.
«We have made it clear that if any Russian armed forces cross the border with Ukraine, this will be regarded as a new invasion. And Russia will receive a quick, tough, unified response from the United States and our allies and partners», — he noted.
There is no room for bargaining on the future of Ukraine
As for the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own future, the Western partners see no room for bargaining with Russia in this matter.
«I told Lavrov that there are certain principles that the United States, as well as our allies and partners pledged to protect: in particular, the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own future. And there is no room for bargaining», — Blinken said.
The United States does not take Russia's word for it
The US Secretary of State noted that Russia has gathered enough forces to attack Ukraine from the south, east and north.
«Russian officials have repeatedly stated that they have no intention of invading Ukraine. But what matters is not words, but actions, what is visible (concentration of Russian forces on the border with Ukraine, — ed) », — Blinken said.
On the meeting between Biden and Putin
According to Blinken, US President Joe Biden is ready for negotiations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Such contact is possible if there is a need to resolve «certain issues» through a personal dialogue.
«There are several ideas»
According to Blinken, the United States and Russia can take several steps to increase transparency and reduce risks, strengthen arms control, and build trust.
«I conveyed to Minister Lavrov specific points that challenge our concern about the actions of the Russian Federation that undermine peace and security, and not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and the world as a whole. I offered several ideas on how to reduce risks and increase security», — noted Blinken.
Lavrov's key statements The US will respond to Russia's demands next week
Following the meeting, Lavrov said that the meeting concluded with an agreement that the US would provide a written response to Russian demands for «security guarantees» next week.
«Russia has never threatened the Ukrainian people»
Lavrov also commented on the situation with the escalation at the borders by saying that Russia allegedly never threatened the Ukrainian people.
« (President of Ukraine, — ed.) Zelensky publicly stated that if someone feels Russian — let him go to Russia. Therefore, who threatens whom and what threats can result in — this is a big question», — said the Russian Foreign Minister.
He also answered CNN's question about why the threat of Russia's invasion of Ukraine arose right now.
«You claim that we are going to attack Ukraine, although we have said many times that we are not going to. Are you asking why now? And when should we not attack?», — Lavrov noted.
On the recognition of «LDNR»
Lavrov recalled that in February 2015, representatives of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk «People's Republics» by signing the Minsk agreements, they actually abandoned the results of «referendums» about independence.
«The referendum in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions was seriously discussed at the Normandy format meeting, where the Minsk agreements were being prepared. And the leaders of France and Germany begged us to persuade the representatives of Donetsk and Luhansk to sign their names. That is, in fact, they went towards the «Norman Four» and withdrew their decisions on independence, realizing that there would be «from A to Z» the Minsk agreements have been fulfilled. First of all, granting a special status to these territories», — said the Russian minister.
New meeting with Blinken
After the US provides its response to the demands for «security guarantees», a new contact between Lavrov and Blinken is planned. As for contacts at the level of presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, the Russian minister urged not to get ahead of ourselves.
The meeting lasted an hour and a half
According to the Russian media, the meeting between Blinken and Lavrov lasted an hour and a half, and this is less than planned. It is expected that the heads of diplomatic departments will hold separate press conferences following its results.
What happened before the meeting
Today, before the start of negotiations, Blinken said that the West is committed to dialogue, but is ready for a tough response to aggression against Ukraine. In Geneva, the parties were to discuss again Russia's demands for «security guarantees».
In December 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements with the US and NATO on the so-called «security guarantees&# 187;. Mostly, Moscow insists on refusing Ukraine's entry into NATO in the long term.
Russian-American consultations on these issues were held on January 10 in Geneva. Also last week, on January 12, a meeting of the Council of Russia — NATO, and on January 13 «security guarantees» were discussed at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.