Ukraine calls for talks in UNSC, Blinken agrees to meet Lavrov

Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Sergiy Kyslytsya has said his country wants peace, security and stability not only for itself but for the entire Europe. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Thursday, Kyslytsya, however, said if Russia opts for escalation, Ukraine will defend itself. The council meeting was called by Russia to focus on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.“Russia has a choice to embark on the path of de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue or experience a decisive consolidated response by the international community,” Kyslytsya said, adding it would depend on Russia to implement all resolutions in the Minsk Agreements.

Urging Moscow to abandon its strategy on Ukraine, the ambassador said the latter remains committed to resolving differences diplomatically. “We will do everything to ensure de-escalation,” Kyslytsya also said during the UNSC meeting. Apart from Kyslytsya, other UNSC members also pitched for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergey Vershinin, who was present during meeting, accused Ukraine of failing to implement the Minsk Agreements and did not speak on the military build-up along Ukraine's borders. Vershinin said the agreements are the only legal basis to settle civil conflicts in the east of Ukraine. 

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has agreed to meet his Russian counterpart Sergie Lavrov next week given “there is no further Russian invasion of Ukraine," the state department said Thursday. Blinken had initially suggested meeting Lavrov in Europe next week because, state department spokesperson Ned Price said, the US believes the “only responsible way to resolve this crisis is through diplomacy and dialogue.”