Talks in Geneva saw diplomats discuss Moscows demands to limit the expansion of NATO Washington has pledged to respond in writing to Mosc
Talks in Geneva saw diplomats discuss Moscow’s demands to limit the expansion of NATO Washington has pledged to respond in writing to Moscow’s proposed security guarantees, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced following talks with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva on Friday, Lavrov said the US side had set out its initial view on the two draft treaties developed by the Kremlin. «Blinken told me he was satisfied with the exchange we had and that it will help him, he assured us, to issue a written response next week.» However, Lavrov added, at present «their reaction is only preliminary — we were warned about this.» Asked whether Russia intended to publish the response, the top diplomat said the question was one for Blinken and the US side. Moscow initially made its proposals and intentions to hold talks public. Lavrov also added that demands for Ukraine not to be admitted to NATO were not a sign Russia was seeking to assert control over a «sphere of influence,» but an effort to prevent the bloc «sowing the seeds» of conflict in Eastern Europe.
