U.S. will give Russians written response to NATO demands, Blinken says - Axios
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Zachary Basu
Blinken and Lavrov shake hands in Geneva. Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed after a meeting with his Russian counterpart on Friday that the U.S. will provide written answers to Russia's security demands next week.
Why it matters: Russia claims to be waiting for "concrete answers" to its demands that NATO rule out further expansion and roll back its presence in eastern Europe before deciding its next steps on Ukraine. But the U.S. and NATO have called those proposals "non-starters," and Friday's meeting offered no breakthroughs, so it's unclear how written answers might change the equation.
Driving the news: Blinken traveled to Geneva from meetings in Kyiv and Berlin, where he sought to reinforce the message that there will be a "swift, severe, and united response to any form of aggression by Russia directed toward Ukraine."
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in opening remarks in Geneva the meeting came at Blinken's request, but that the Russian side considered it a good opportunity for the U.S. to come up with "concrete answers to our concerns."
- The two diplomats plan further discussions after the U.S. consults with its European allies on the written answers. Blinken said the next steps could include a summit between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin if progress is being made.
The big picture: Blinken said Lavrov once again assured him Russia has no intention of attacking Ukraine, but added: "We're looking at what is visible to all, and it is deeds and actions, not words, that make the difference."
- Russia continues to amass forces on all sides of the Ukrainian border, including with significant new deployments to Belarus and additional military aid to Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
- Blinken stressed that the Biden administration will continue to support Ukraine with security assistance, but acknowledged that U.S. troops would not be deployed to defend the country from an invasion.
Go deeper: What Putin's Ukraine options look like
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It sounds like they are making some progress toward a peaceful end.
Yes, it does and in the meantime, the US is allowing US-made weapons to be moved from European countries to Ukraine.
I would think that NATO or UN "peace keeping" troops should be moved nearby also.
If by peaceful you mean Russia taking Ukraine back, then they are speeding right along to that path to peace.
Russia won't need to invade once they get enough covert special forces within Ukraine's borders. The fight will be over before the US/NATO even knows it has begun. Once the Russian separatists take control they will demand Russian forces enter Ukraine to secure peace, and stabilize the country. It will also send a clear message to US/NATO to stay the fuck out.
Can hardly wait to see the sanctions that Biden comes up with. He will be hard pressed to find any; as the US has repeatedly sanctioned Russia for the last 6 plus years- to absolutely no effect on Putin.
Can we all thank Obama for backing the coup of a duly elected Pro Russian Ukrainian government? Seems Democrats will side with anyone to achieve their goals, even Fascists.
Brandon already let Putin know that a minor incursion into Ukraine by Russia would be acceptable. It doesn't matter how hard he backpedals now. It is already out there. The perfect Freudian slip for Russia to use. What is there left to negotiate?
But sanctions WERE effective in 2014, the last time Russia threatened a Ukraine invasion. Like I have said, sanctions are designed to hit Russia in their most sensitive area, Putin's wallet.
But sanctions WERE effective in 2014, the last time Russia threatened a Ukraine invasion
Exactly. And that's why the Crimea remains a part of Ukraine.
Oh wait...
Can you elaborate? In what way, specifically? Which sanctions resulted in which effective result?
Clean up in aisle 4!
“ No” shouldn’t take that long to write.
Selling out Poland and other allies should be a non starter.
So basically they are sending a strongly worded letter to Russia after the president invited them to invade with little consequence?
This administration couldn't run the student body at an elementary school.
Interesting how Russia is demanding loads of concessions from the US, NATO, and other Western or Western aligned countries, but apparently refuses to make any themselves.
Meaning they will all wag their fingers at Putin in unison. Then they will all sit around and debate about what they should do.
They should just say now explicitly what they will do. E.g.: “If you set one foot in Ukraine, we will cut you off from all your assets in international banks.” Something to that effect. The whole, vague “we will respond” thing is useless and since it’s not a military strategy, it’s not necessary to be coy about it.
No one is going to war to protect Ukraine, so let’s stop pretending like that’s even on the table.
Who believes that? It’s not exactly a secret that Putin dreams of restoring the vast Soviet empire.
Didn't Molotov and von Ribbentrop tell each other the same thing in 1939?