Ukraine Crisis: US Tells Russia It Wants Proof On Troops Withdrawal
NDTV
US Secretary of State told Russian counterpart the it looks forward to Russia's written response to US and NATO papers on European security.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday that the United States has ongoing concerns about Russia's ability to launch an invasion of Ukraine and needs to see "verifiable, credible, meaningful de-escalation."
The two spoke by phone after Russia said some of its troops were returning to base after exercises near Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin said he was willing to continue dialogue.
But Western nations are yet to confirm they have observed a reduction in Russia's build-up of some 130,000 troops near its border with Ukraine.
Blinken told Lavrov that Washington was committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to "the crisis Moscow has precipitated" and looks forward to Russia's written response to US and NATO papers on European security, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
