Blinken briefs Kuleba on U.S.-Russia talks

"Antony Blinken shared with Dmytro Kuleba the content of the discussion between the Russian and U.S. delegations in Geneva on January 10. The foreign ministers agreed on further steps to be taken by Ukraine and the United States, including in view of the next diplomatic contacts with Russia in the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE Permanent Council," the statement said.

Both parties stressed their mutual commitment to the diplomatic principle of "no agreement about Ukraine without Ukraine."

According to the statement, Blinken reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Kuleba, in turn, thanked the United States for its support and noted the unity of positions by Kyiv and Washington amid Russia's threats and ultimatums.

The minister stressed that Ukraine continues to actively work on consolidating partners against the background of the threat of further Russian aggression, and the United States remains the number one security partner of the country.

"Thanks to active diplomatic work, Ukraine has strong international support. There is a growing understanding among our partners that the Euro-Atlantic area will be safe only when Ukraine is safe. Together we are actively implementing this security formula. The talks in Geneva have proved that our strength lies in the unity and coherence of positions against the background of Russian ultimatums," Kuleba said.

On January 10, in Geneva, the U.S. and Russian delegations held a one-day meeting aimed at the diplomatic search for ways to defuse tensions in Europe. The U.S. delegation rejected any possibility of curtailing NATO's open-door policy for other countries, including Ukraine.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that after her meeting with Russian officials, she could not say whether Moscow was ready for de-escalation near Ukraine's borders.

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