U.S., Russia to talk on Ukraine Jan 10 - media

28.12.2021 12:46

Ukrinform

The White House announced the date of the upcoming talks between the United States and Russia, where the security situation around Ukraine and NATO's activities in Europe will be discussed.

That’s according to the Voice of America’s Ukrainian service referring to an official with the U.S. National Security Council, Ukrinform reports.

"The United States expects to participate with Russia in the Strategic Security Dialogue Platform on January 10. In addition, as far as we understand, Russia and NATO intend to hold a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on January 12, while the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council is scheduled for the 13th," the official said, according to a report posted in Ukrainian.

The administration added that President Biden's approach to Ukraine is a combination of deterrence and diplomacy. "As the Alliance, we are united as for the consequences that Russia will face should it launch an offensive against Ukraine. But we are also united in our readiness to partake in fundamental diplomacy with Russia," the U.S. National Security Council said.

Representatives of the United States and Russia are expected to discuss the security situation around Ukraine and NATO's activities in Europe.

"When we sit down to talk, Russia can put its concerns on the table, while we will also put on the table our concerns about Russia's actions. We will adhere to the principle of ‘nothing about our allies and partners without our allies and partners, including Ukraine.’ There will be areas where we can make progress and areas where we will have differences. That's what diplomacy is about," the Ukrainian service of the Voice of America was told.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference on December 23 that talks with "American partners" on security issues can be expected early next year. According to the Russian leader, "representatives from both sides have been appointed."

Earlier, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried announced the possibility of a substantive dialogue with Russia to kick off next month. She stressed that the United States is considering negotiations in three formats: a bilateral dialogue on strategic stability, the NATO-Russia Council, and the OSCE.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington has not been planning talks of U.S. and Russian leaders. According to Blinken, some diplomatic progress must be made prior to that, along with de-escalation on the part of the Russian Federation and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.