Sergei Lavrov and Antony Blinken to Discuss: What is on the Agenda

On February 1, a phone conversation will take place between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This was announced today by Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“There will be no face-to-face meeting; tomorrow there will be a phone conversation,” Zakharova said.

Earlier, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland stated that Blinken and Lavrov were expected to negotiate this week.

Russia is demanding security guarantees from the United States and NATO, specifically a clear commitment that Ukraine and Georgia will not join NATO. Additionally, the Russian side is requesting the removal of military infrastructure from the territories of NATO member countries that joined after 1997.

The West has rejected Moscow's demands but has indicated a willingness to consider the concerns expressed by the Russians and to continue discussions on security issues.