[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The foreign ministers of the United States and Russia have agreed once again to hold talks to ease tensions surrounding the Ukraine crisis. Attention is focused on whether the heightened military tensions, following the breakdown of previous consecutive talks, can be alleviated. Concerns about a Russian invasion of Ukraine are rising sharply as Russia has also deployed troops to Belarus, which borders northern Ukraine.
According to foreign media including CNN on the 18th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and agreed to hold talks on the Ukraine situation in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 21st. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized, "Secretary Blinken mentioned during this call the importance of continuing diplomatic channels to ease tensions," and "he also reiterated the United States' unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Before the talks with Russia, Secretary Blinken plans to visit Ukraine and Germany consecutively from the 18th to the 20th to discuss response measures with allied countries. On the 19th, he is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reaffirm U.S. support, and on the 20th, he is anticipated to discuss measures such as sanctions against Russia with representatives of major allies including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom in Berlin.
In particular, since the German government still expresses differences regarding strong economic sanctions against Russia, coordination of opinions among allies is expected to be necessary. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, at a press conference following talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the same day, stated, "We want a stable and constructive relationship with Russia and have no interest in permanent tension," drawing a line by saying there will be no arms support to Ukraine. However, he warned, "if Russia invades Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could be shut down."
Meanwhile, military tensions along the Russia-Ukraine border are significantly escalating. The day before, Russia announced the deployment of large-scale troops to Belarus for joint exercises near the northern border of Ukraine, greatly increasing concerns about a Russian invasion of Ukraine. White House spokesperson Jen Psaki also stated at a press briefing that "the Ukraine crisis is at extreme risk, and Russia is in a position to attack Ukraine at any time."
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