The White House has confirmed Joe Biden will talk with Ukrainian President Zelensky as tensions on the border remain volatile
This comes as the US urges China to use its influence over Russia to discourage an invasion.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki says the virtual meeting between Biden and Zelensky is standard practice and the world shouldn’t expect any significant announcements.
The United States is failing to address Moscow’s primary concerns, but Russia is keeping the door open for further negotiations
The written responses provided to Moscow by Washington don’t address Russia’s fears of an expansion of the NATO military alliance into Ukraine.
Fears of an invasion of Ukraine remain high, with over 100,000 Russian troops stationed at the border, braving the icy conditions.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov says there is “no positive reaction on the main document”… arguing a NATO expansion will threaten the territory of the Russian Federation.
Russia is continuing to deny it is planning an invasion of Ukraine, but America and its Western allies are preparing for any eventuality.
NATO has been increasing its support towards Ukraine, providing increased weapons supplies and military training.
Russia says, constitutes a growing threat on its western flank.
Russia and Ukraine agree to ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on the eastern border following talks in Paris.
The announcement came after a meeting of the so called Normandy format – a four way conversation between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.
Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula Vonn Der Leyen says the situation is at crisis point, but diplomacy is still on the table.
