US and Russia try to lower temperature as Ukraine tensions simmer

WASHINGTON, 24 January 2022, (TON): The United States and Russia have sought to lower the temperature in a heated standoff over Ukraine during high-level talks in Geneva but reported no breakthroughs as a result of the discussions.

Armed with seemingly intractable and diametrically opposed demands, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met on Friday for roughly 90 minutes at what the former dubbed a critical moment in the crisis.

Both sides said they were open to further dialogue following the talks, but put the onus on the other to move first to defuse tensions.

Blinken said the pair’s frank and substantive discussions had put Washington and Moscow on “a clearer path to understanding each other’s positions.”

He added that Russia, which has massed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine’s border, now faced a choice.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Login to post comments
Go to top