Blinken and Lavrov spoke for about 10 minutes – What was said in their brief conversation
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the G20 in New Delhi, according to a State Department official who is traveling with Blinken for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The meeting comes as tensions remain high over Ukraine and Russia’s suspension of the New START nuclear weapons treaty.
According to CNN, Blinken and Lavrov spoke for about 10 minutes, said the same official. In their brief conversation, Blinken called on Russia to release Paul Whelan and resume participation in the New START treaty, as well as to underscore U.S. support for Ukraine, the source said.
The source also said that this meeting was not planned and that it was Blinken who approached Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed to CNN that the meeting took place.
“Blinken asked for contact with Lavrov. On the move, in the context of the second session of the G20, Sergey Viktorovich (Lavrov) spoke. There were no negotiations, meetings, etc.,” he said.
The last time Blinken and Lavrov met in person was before the Russian invasion.
Earlier Blinken said a meeting of G20 finance ministers was “tarnished” by the war in Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, this meeting was once again marred by Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine, its deliberate campaign of destruction against civilians and its attack on the core principles of the UN Charter,” he said.
Source :Skai
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