US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke Wednesday with General Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council.at first high-level contact between Washington and Moscow since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the White House said.
Sullivan reiterated the “firm and clear” opposition of the United States to the “gratuitous and unjustified” invasion, which began on February 24, telling Patrushev that “if Russia is serious about diplomacy, then Moscow should stop attacking Ukrainian cities and towns,” according to the statement.
He also promised that Washington will continue “imposing costs on Russia” for the invasion, supporting the defense of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, in “continuous and full coordination with our allies and partners,” he added.
Sullivan also warned Patrushev “on the consequences and implications of a possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine”the statement said.
The head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, had canceled a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, which should have been carried out at the time of the Russian invasion, given Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Since then, and until Wednesday’s exchange, the two countries had had no official contact. The United States had let France, Germany, Turkey or Israel try to mediate with Moscow. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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