Russian-US Foreign Ministers' Dialogue Cools Down the Situation in Ukraine Lavrov Urges the West to End "Anti-Russian Hysteria"

The reference news network reported on January 22 that the talks between the top diplomats of the United States and Russia in Geneva ended after an hour and a half, which was half an hour shorter than the planned two hours.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shook hands in front of reporters at 11 a.m. local time to begin the discussion about the Ukraine crisis.

The Associated Press reported in Geneva on January 21 that the two countries on Friday tried to reduce the heat of the tension at a time when the United States and Russia said that the fierce confrontation over Ukraine would not make any breakthrough anytime soon.

At what the Americans call a "pivotal moment," U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Geneva. The demands of both sides not only look tricky, but also diametrically opposed.

It is estimated that about 100,000 Russian soldiers have assembled near Ukraine. The West fears that Moscow is preparing to "invade" Ukraine, although Russia denies it. The United States and its allies are rushing to form a united front to prevent this from happening.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Blinken said: "We are not expecting any major breakthrough today, but I think we are now clearly moving in the direction of understanding each other's positions." ”

Lavrov, meanwhile, called the talks "constructive and useful."

Lavrov also said that the United States agreed to give a written response next week on Russia's demands on Ukraine and NATO. This could at least delay any imminent offensive action for a few days. But he declined to elaborate on the promise.

He told reporters: "I can't say if we're on the right track. We will know the answer only when we receive a written response from the United States to all of our proposals. ”

In addition, according to Reuters Geneva reported on January 21, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said after holding talks with US officials in Geneva on Friday that Russia and the United States will continue to engage in dialogue around Moscow's security needs, and look forward to a written response from Washington next week.

Speaking at a news conference after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken, Lavrov said he hoped tensions over Ukraine would cool down and reiterated that Russia poses no threat to Ukraine.

Russia has assembled tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border and sent troops to Belarus to participate in joint military exercises. It wants NATO to commit not to allow Ukraine to join NATO as one of them, and urges NATO to halt eastward expansion. NATO rejected these demands from the Russian side.

Lavrov said Friday's talks were fairly frank and useful, that Russia had no plans to attack Ukraine, and that President Putin was willing to engage with U.S. President Joe Biden at any time, but only if adequate preparations were made.

After the talks, Blinken claimed that once Russia "invaded" Ukraine, it would face a "swift, harsh, and unanimous response" from the West.

He said Washington had agreed to provide written explanations to the Russian side on the issue of security assurances raised by Moscow.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Blinken said: "We made it very clear – if Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border, it is 'aggression'. Russia will be met with a swift, stern, and unanimous response from the United States and its allies. ”

Blinken revealed that the two sides also discussed the Iranian issue and said that the United States and Russia can cooperate on the Iranian nuclear agreement.

Both sides believe it is important to continue consultations through the diplomatic process.

Before Friday's talks, Blinken and Lavrov shook hands at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, where they agreed there would be no breakthrough.

According to the German news agency Geneva reported on January 21, after meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on the West to end the "anti-Russian hysteria" on the Ukraine issue.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva on Friday, Lavrov said Russia had not threatened anyone and had not "invaded" any country. He dismissed Western fears that Ukraine was about to be "invaded" by Russia.

Lavrov said Russia hopes the United States will respond in writing to russia's security proposals next week. He said the two sides should hold further talks at the level of foreign ministers.

Lavrov criticized the "Russian-phobic minority" for setting the tone. The Foreign Minister stressed that the security of one European country cannot be guaranteed in a way that harms one country.

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