U.S., Russia See Little Progress in Early Talks on Ukraine Crisis

Author: Editors Desk Source: WSJ:

January 10, 2022 at 16:51

The Russian delegation arrived for talks with the U.S. in Geneva on Monday on tensions over Ukraine. PHOTO: DENIS BALIBOUSE/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Both sides described businesslike talks that didn’t resolve their differences as Russian troops mass near the Ukraine border

U.S. and Russian negotiators failed to narrow their differences in security talks in Geneva on Monday against the backdrop of Moscow’s military buildup near Ukraine, U.S. and Russian diplomats said.

“It’s just the beginning, and we don’t know where all of this is headed quite yet,” Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who is leading the talks on Washington’s side, said after Monday’s round of talks concluded.

Describing the talks as “serious, straightforward, businesslike, candid discussions,” Ms. Sherman said that it remained unclear if Russia was prepared to reduce its military buildup near Ukraine following the talks—or even whether Moscow was committed to stay at the negotiating table.

“We have a long way to go,” she said.

Ukrainian forces on the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels near Avdiivka, in the southeast region of Ukraine, on Saturday. PHOTO: ANATOLII STEPANOV/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES — Ukrainian forces on the line of separation from Russian-backed rebels near Avdiivka,
in the southeast region of Ukraine, on Saturday.
PHOTO: ANATOLII STEPANOV/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov described the talks as “difficult, long, very professional, specific, without any attempts to embellish anything, to get around any sharp corners.”

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