Tensions are rising as many worry that Russia may attempt to invade Ukraine. In an effort to ease tensions, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hinted that U.S. President Joe Biden may be willing to meet with Russian political leader Vladimir Putin.
“That’s certainly something we’re prepared to do. Right now, the plan is to take stock of where we are next week after we share some ideas with Russia,” Blinken told ABC News.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Blinken to discuss potential solutions. While there were no major breakthroughs, the two political leaders said they would be keep the door of diplomacy open moving forward. Also, Russia has been adamant about receiving a written response to the two draft treaties that it released in December. According to a report from ABC News, the U.S. will indeed provide a response before Blinken and Lavrov meet again.
While Blinken and the U.S. government may be willing to provide a response to Russia’s treaties, it does appear that there are “nonstarters” for the Biden administration. Most notably, the U.S. government has opposed Moscow’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining the Western military alliance and pull its troops back from Eastern European member states.
“There are certain issues and fundamental principles that the United States and our partners and allies are committed to defend. That includes those that would impede the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people to write their own future. There is no trade space there – none,” Blinken told reporters earlier this week.
Talks between U.S. and Russia appear to be going in the right direction, but it does appear that things could take a wrong turn at any moment.
“Based on our discussion, I believe we can carry forward this work of developing understanding agreements together that ensure our mutual security,” Blinken told ABC News after his meeting with Lavrov on Friday.
“But that’s contingent on Russia stopping its aggression toward Ukraine.”
