US State Secretary Antony Blinken suggests 'diplomatic solution' to Ukraine situation

situation of Ukraine and Russia can be solved with diplomacy which is still possible and preferable as US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken suggests. However, he also stated that it will be difficult as long as Russia maintains its border pressure in Ukraine. As per reports of Guardian, he said that US and its allies could discuss confidence-building measures, greater transparency, and risk reduction with Russia, but treaties Moscow wants US and NATO to sign on excluding Ukraine from NATO membership in future has chance of succeeding. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also declared that organisation would t cancel  membership offer to Ukraine.

Russia claims that NATO and Ukraine are threatening Moscow which was refuted by Blinken stating that one should be astonished if Russia provokes an incident and n tries to exploit it to justify military intervention. Russia has gared 100,000 troops surrounding Ukraine. US is willing to negotiate a mutual troop pullout, with Russia moving troops back from Ukraine's border and US pulling forces back, according to NBC News.

Artillery and electronic warfare capabilities are rapidly being added

Stoltenberg stated that Russia continues to deploy its military on border. He furr said that  artillery and electronic warfare capabilities are rapidly being added. Although Stoltenberg stated that NATO was willing to discuss issues such as troop transparency, western officials are sceptical that talks will result in a breakthrough, as Putin's demands, which were laid out in form of two draught treaties on December 17th, has been rejected.

Liz Truss, UK foreign secretary, on or hand, said that Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's border and in illegally acquired Crimea is unacceptable. She also said that y will join NATO in pressing Russia to stop its nefarious activities and abide by international agreements, according to Guardian. She furr stated that any Russian assault would be a huge strategic blunder that would come at a high price.

US, Russia bilateral meeting on Monday in Geneva

US and Russian officials will have a bilateral meeting on Monday in Geneva to discuss future security institutions, according to Guardian. Blinken also said that if Russia has real concerns, y are totally prepared to listen, eng, and see if y can make progress.

(Im: AP)