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Sergey Lavrov and Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday
Photo: Alexei Nikolsky / AP
Russia apparently wants to continue negotiations with the West in the conflict over Ukraine.
At a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed optimism about the prospects of the negotiations being successful.
There is always a chance, Lavrov said.
The meeting was televised and appeared to have been carefully orchestrated.
According to the AFP news agency, Putin literally asked his foreign minister: “Is there a chance of reaching an agreement with our partners on important points or is this an attempt to draw us into an endless negotiation process?” Lavrov then said, among other things: “Ours Possibilities are far from exhausted.«
However, the talks should not drag on indefinitely, Lavrov continued.
According to his account, Russia has now also formulated a ten-page response to NATO and the USA, after both sides had previously exchanged documents.
US warns of possible attack this week
According to Western sources, Russia has massed more than 100,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine in recent months.
The US government has repeatedly warned that Russia could attack the neighboring country "at any time".
Last Friday, the US foreign intelligence service, the CIA, specified that an attack could possibly be expected as early as the middle of this week.
Moscow denies any plans of attack and says it feels threatened by NATO.
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In recent weeks, Ukraine and the West have negotiated in various formats.
There hasn't been much progress lately.
Russia had given the US and NATO a list of demands for security guarantees.
For example, the military alliance should refrain from admitting Ukraine and withdraw to its 1997 positions.
NATO, on the other hand, claims that every country has the right to freely choose its alliance.
The responses from NATO and the USA to the Russian demands were initially met with disappointment in Moscow.
The written answer announced by Lavrov can now be seen as a new offer of talks.
Scholz travels to Kiev and Moscow
Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to Kiev on Monday and is expected in Moscow tomorrow.
In advance, Scholz announced on Twitter that he wanted to assure Ukraine of Germany's "continued solidarity and support".
On the other hand, the chancellor warned Russia that there would be "very serious consequences" if it attacked the neighboring country.
"We urgently expect signs of de-escalation from Moscow," said Scholz.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Putin to step down "from the edge of the abyss".
The pulling together of the Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine created a "very dangerous, difficult situation".
There are clear signs that they are “at least preparing something that can happen within the next 48 hours”.
slue/dpa
