Lavrov: Russia will not publish the US response to the crisis with Ukraine

Earlier, US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan submitted a written response from Washington to the draft Russian security guarantees during a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today in the State Duma that Russia will not publish the US response if requested, but will reveal the general list of responses. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that Washington’s written response to Russia’s security demands paves the way for a diplomatic solution if Moscow takes it seriously and that the United States is trying to prevent a military escalation against Ukraine.

He said the document, submitted to Russia, contained a “principled and pragmatic” assessment of Russia’s demands, adding that the response was fully coordinated with Ukraine and Washington’s European allies. In general, this represents a serious diplomatic path forward, if Russia decides to do so, “said Blinken, adding that he expects talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to continue in the coming days.

Blinken said the US response to Russia’s demands reflects Washington’s stance that it is open to dialogue and prefers diplomacy, but how it responds belongs to Russia. He warned that the United States would be ready in any case. Washington has made it clear that Russia’s demands for NATO to withdraw troops and weapons from Eastern Europe and prevent Ukraine from ever joining the alliance can not be discussed.

Tensions are high as Russia has amassed about 100,000 troops not far from the border with Ukraine, encircling the country with forces from the north, east and south. Russia denies planning the invasion. Blinken said today that there will be no change in the US position on NATO’s open door policy. Although the US Embassy in Kiev will remain open, Americans in the former Soviet republic should think carefully about leaving, he warned.

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