In statements to the Soloviev Live YouTube channel, Zakharova recalled that on Tuesday, the two officials talked over the phone about the security guarantees at Washington’s initiative and agreed to hold a meeting.

According to the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the head of Moscow’s diplomacy reiterated on Tuesday’s talks the imperative nature that Washington provides as soon as possible concrete answers “in writing and point by point” to the Russian proposals on legal security guarantees.

Lavrov stressed that such commitments would be based on the principle of indivisibility of security, approved by all Euro-Atlantic countries.

Lavrov urged Blinken not to replicate the speculation about an alleged imminent “Russian aggression” against Ukraine and asked him to demand that Kiev implements the Minsk agreements.

The Russian communique reported that the representatives of Moscow and Washington exchanged on the results of the talks between delegations of the two countries on January 10, in Geneva; and the meeting of the Russia-NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Council, held on January 12 in Brussels.

Blinken is visiting Kiev this Wednesday, to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and reinforce Washington’s commitment to that country, the White House stated.

On January 20, Blinken will meet in Berlin with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, to discuss joint efforts to contain Russia’s alleged aggression against Ukraine, the communique stated.

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