Defusing tensions: US-Russia talks on Ukraine kick off

Negotiations aimed at scaling down tensions over Moscow’s troop buildup on border with Ukraine

Diplomats from the United States and Russia have begun negotiations in Geneva, aimed at scaling down tensions over Moscow’s troop buildup close to the border with Ukraine.

The US State Department confirmed that the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had met her Russian counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and that talks were underway.

Representatives from Moscow are also scheduled to meet NATO envoys along with a delegation from the Organization for Security and Operation in Europe.

This comes a few weeks after US President Joe Biden held two telephone calls with his Russian counterpart and warned him of serious penalties if Moscow invaded Ukraine once more.

A possible consequence can be further sanctions along with the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline or cutting Russia off from the world banking network, Moscow was informed.

The western nations are concerned that Russia’s troop buildup may lead to an invasion into Ukraine. Moscow has so far denied that it intends to do so.

However, the Kremlin is seeking assurances from NATO that it would not expand towards the east with Ukraine never becoming a member of the military alliance.

Washington has repeatedly said that many of the demands made by Russia were unacceptable.

Speaking to Russian state media, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Moscow would not agree to any concession. He added that it would not be realistic to expect any progress from the talks.