U.S. diplomat chief Anthony Blinken said this Wednesday that “in the coming days” he would have his first conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The first conversation in more than five months between the heads of US and Russian diplomacy will take place by phone and will focus on the situation of the Americans detained in Russia and the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports, which was reached last week through an agreement mediated by the UN and Turkey.
The US Secretary of State specified during a press conference that “these will not be negotiations on Ukraine,” but they should mainly be devoted to the Americans detained in Russia and the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports.
The last dialogue between Blinken and Lavrov took place on February 15, when a US diplomat urged Russia not to continue its invasion of Ukraine, which was confirmed nine days later.
On the “table” of the two foreign ministers will now be an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, signed last week in Istanbul, allowing the disposal of about 25 million tons of grain stuck in Ukrainian ports.
“We hope that this agreement will allow Ukrainian grain to be sent quickly back across the Black Sea and that Russia will keep its promise to allow the passage of these vessels,” Anthony Blinken said.
Since the signing of the deal, the Ukrainian authorities have warned that they do not trust Moscow and have reported Russian attacks in the Odessa region.
The Kremlin, for its part, says it sees no obstacles to resuming exports, which also depend on clearing sea mines laid by Ukrainian forces to defend against Russian attack.
Another priority for the White House is the release of Paul Whelan and basketball player Brittney Griner, who Blinken said are being held “unfairly” and should be allowed to return home.
Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on Feb. 24 that has killed more than 5,100 civilians, according to the UN, which warns the real number is likely much higher.
According to the latest UN figures, the Russian military offensive has forced more than 16 million people to flee, of which more than 5.9 million have fled the country.
The international organization is monitoring the return of people to Ukrainian territory, but warns that new waves of displacement are expected due to insecurity and lack of gas and water in the areas affected by the clashes.
Also, according to the UN, more than 15.7 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The Russian invasion was condemned by the international community as a whole, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and increasing economic and political sanctions against Moscow.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
