A frank exchange of views and no more, that is how observers have summarized the outcome of the latest U.S. Russian talks to de-escalate heightened tensions stemming from Russia’s threatening behaviour towards Ukraine and the West.
“If any Russian forces move across Ukraine’s border, that’s a renewed invasion. and it will be met with a swift, severe and united response from the United States and our partners and allies.” stressed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken after his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Geneva on Jan 21.
Russia's hybrid play book also includes aggressions that are short of military action, and these will also be met with a “decisive, calibrated and united response”.
The meeting was the latest in an intensive round of meetings between Western allies and the Russian Federation in response to the latter’s threat in mid-December of unspecified military actions if their ‘security guarantees’ were not addressed promptly.
Secretary Blinken highlighted that he had expressed concerns about Russian activities in Ukraine, Europe and across the world in what he called a “frank and substantive” dialogue. He stated that he had outlined ideas developed with partners to “reduce tensions and to increase security” which are “based upon the principle of reciprocity”.
He defended NATO’s open door policy to new membership applications, rejected the idea that nations can claim a ‘sphere of influence’ to force their will on other nations and stressed that no decisions about allies will be taken without their inclusion.
“Based on the discussions today, Foreign Minister Lavrov and I agreed that it is important for the diplomatic process to continue,“
and after briefings and consultations with U.S. colleagues, allies and partners, Blinken said that a detailed written account of allied concerns and ideas will be shared with Russia. After that, both agree that there is a need for further diplomatic discussions.
Possible areas for future agreement are on transparency, on military exercises, on arms control and on measures to enhance mutual security.
