Russia and the US have held what they called “frank” talks to try to reduce the chance of a confrontation in Ukraine

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov continues to deny that a huge Russian force assembled near Ukraine’s borders will be used to invade Ukraine.

Antony Blinken reaffirmed that America will respond severely to any invasion.

Pro-Russian rebels control large parts of eastern Ukraine since a ferocious war erupted nearly eight years ago.

The US and its allies have threatened new sanctions if the Russian military takes action.

Some 14,000 people were killed and at least two million fled their homes before fragile peace agreements were brokered. 

“I hope emotions will decrease,” Mr Lavrov says. 

Swift and severe

Mr Blinken warned his Russian counterpart of a “united, swift and severe” response if Russia invaded.

Speaking after the talks, he said the US was prepared to pursue possible means of addressing Russian concerns in the spirit of reciprocity.

For his part, Mr Lavrov described the talks as open and useful but he accused Nato of working against Russia. He reiterated Moscow’s position that it had “never threatened the Ukrainian people” and had no plans to attack Ukraine. 

He also accused the Ukrainian government of using “state terrorism” against the rebels in the east and “sabotaging” the Minsk peace agreements on the conflict there. 

Russia’s foreign minister said the US would send “written responses” to all of Russia’s proposals next week but Mr Blinken only said America hoped to share its “concerns and ideas in more detail in writing next week”.