NEW DELHI (AP) — US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov met briefly on Thursday at a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 countries in the first high-level meeting between the two countries in months.
This was announced by US representatives Blinken and Lavrov spoke for about 10 minutes on the sidelines of the G-20 conference in New Delhi. The brief meeting came as relations between Washington and Moscow deteriorated sharply and tensions dissipated RussiaRussia’s war with Ukraine gained significant momentum.
This was stated by a high-ranking American official Blinken used the discussion to make three points Lavrov: that the USA will support Ukraine in the conflict as long as it takes for the war to end Russia should reverse its decision to suspend participation in the New START nuclear treaty and that Moscow should release detained American Paul Whelan.
The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation, said Blinken was “awakened” Lavrov they have an idea that the US support for Ukraine is wavering.
The official declined to provide a description Lavrovanswer but said Blinken did not get the impression that there will be any changes Russiabehavior in the near term.
Immediate comments from Russia about the meeting which is the first contact that Blinken and Lavrov have been since last summer when they spoke on the phone about the US proposal for Russia to release Whelan and previously detained WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Griner was later released in exchange for imprisoned Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, but Whelan remains in custody. Russia after being accused of espionage.
