Russian-American talks today ended with a reiteration of security guarantees from Russia and a warning from the United States that Moscow will face consequences if it decides to invade Ukraine, foreign agencies report.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said she had told her Russian counterpart that a possible invasion of Ukraine would lead to “significant, huge” consequences.

She also said that Washington does not intend to negotiate for Ukraine without the participation of Kiev, as well as the detailed security architecture of a Europe without Europeans.

“Washington has also warned Moscow that NATO’s open door policy will continue despite Russian demands,” Sherman said.

She spoke with Geneva today Russian counterpart Sergei Ryabkov on missile deployment restrictions and military exercises in Europe.

He told Moscow that the United States was ready to resume talks soon.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov described the Russian-US talks as professional, but said compromises were needed for progress.

Russia seeks NATO guarantees in December that Ukraine will never become a member of the military-political allianceand because it will be a threat to the security of the Russian nation.

“The resumption of future talks will depend in part on progress in reaching an agreement on this issue,” Ryabkov said.

He added: “Russia will decide to resume talks with the United States after this week’s meetings with NATO and the European Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

“There is a basis for an agreement between Russia and the United States,” Ryabkov said, but warned that the United States should not underestimate the danger of confrontation.

Talks between the United States and Russia in Geneva on tensions over Ukraine lasted eight hours.

“No progress has been made on Ukraine’s future membership in NATO,” Ryabkov said.

Ahead of the talks, Washington expressed hope that they would result in a de-escalation of the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian border.

Russia has brought 100.000 troops to the border with Ukraine. Kiev and Washington say they are preparing for an invasion, eight years after annexing the Crimean peninsula.

Russia denies the allegations, saying it responds to NATO and Ukraine with aggressive and provocative behavior.

Last month, Moscow presented its demands to the West, which include vetoing NATO’s further expansion to the east and suspending its activities in the Central and Eastern European countries that joined it after 1997.

The United States and NATO immediately rejected many of Russia’s proposals, raising concerns about the possibility of any agreement.

US President Joe Biden has repeatedly warned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that the United States and its European allies will impose unprecedented sanctions if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.

Source: MIA