Blinken clarified that he warned Lavrov that the world will “never” recognize the annexation of Ukrainian territories to the Russian Federation if Moscow goes ahead with such plans.
THE US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced today that she had a “frank” conversation with him Russian counterpart of Sergei Lavrovwhom he pressured to accept the US proposal to obtain the release of American prisoners in Russia.
“We had a frank and direct discussion,” the US secretary said during a press conference.
“I called on the Kremlin to accept the substantial proposal we made to them.”
Blinken clarified that he warned Lavrov that the world will “never” recognize the annexation of Ukrainian territories to the Russian Federation if Moscow goes ahead with such plans.
Blinken had announced on Wednesday that he intended to have a meeting with Lavrov to discuss a US proposal to release basketball player Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan.
It may be a swap with Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer jailed in the US, according to reports.
The head of US diplomacy also said he told his Russian counterpart that the world expects Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Ukrainian grain deal.
RES-EMP
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