Ukraine, Russia tensions: US, Russia signal in early January, Putin demands NATO
U.S. officials say talks with Russia could begin next January over an increase in Russian military deployments along the Ukrainian border.
The statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement that he was looking forward to meeting in Geneva.
The Russian president has called for immediate reassurances on the future of NATO in resolving the crisis.
"The ball is in their court now, they have to answer," he said at his annual news conference. He has also threatened military action, but has denied any involvement in the attack.
Ukraine's security officials say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been sent near its borders, while the United States has threatened to impose sanctions on Putin if it invades Ukraine. Have seen
Senior White House officials have declined to comment on Putin's key demands, including ending all NATO military activity in Eastern Europe and denying NATO membership to Ukraine. However, these two demands do not seem to be met.
President Putin said on Thursday that "it is you who must reassure us, and immediately, right now." He insisted that military action was not his priority.
White House Press Secretary Jane Sackie said there was no final agreement on diplomatic talks at the moment, but the United States was trying to do so and was hopeful.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she welcomed Moscow's willingness to negotiate in January, but warned that the Russian attack would be met with sanctions on the Russian economy.
Despite rising tensions along Ukraine's border, there is hope for the eastern part of the country, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian army for the past seven years.
Ukraine, Russia and the rebels have renewed a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in 2020, and have been welcomed by Ukraine's presidential chief of staff as a step towards easing tensions.
France and Germany have called for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange.
Demands for NATO
Several days ago, President Putin pointed out the "red lines" in the case of Ukraine and when asked during his annual press conference on Thursday if he could assure that there would be no attack (on Ukraine). So he seemed to be talking enthusiastically about it.
"We did not go to the borders of Britain or the United States, not at all, but they did come to our borders," he said. Has deceived Russia through five waves of
Jane Sackie pointed out that the only aggression on the Ukrainian-Russian border was by Russian forces and President Putin's "aggressive rhetoric."