‘BALL IS IN RUSSIA’S COURT’ IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH WEST: UK FOREIGN SECRETARY

Sun 30 January 2022:

The “ball is in Russia’s court” in its talks with the West, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Sunday, asking Russia to engage “proper negotiations” to avoid terrible repercussions and severe sanctions.

“Together, we are urging Russia to sit down for proper negotiations, based on the key principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. The alternative can only end in tragedy: with an incursion leading inevitably to huge suffering and severe economic consequences through sanctions,” Truss wrote in an opinion piece for the Telegraph newspaper.

Last week, the United States and NATO presented proposals on areas to discuss to increase transparency and mitigate risks, the official added.

“The ball is in Russia’s court. I will continue to make the case with our allies and directly to Moscow for a diplomatic solution.

But I am also ready to take the necessary steps to spell out the consequences of continued belligerence,” Truss wrote.

On Saturday, the UK prime minister’s office said that “in the coming days” foreign and defense secretaries will go to Moscow for talks with their Russian counterparts to promote de-escalation.

The Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom requested London last week to halt verbal provocations around Ukraine in the current circumstances.

Moscow dismisses any allegations of supposed preparations for an invasion of Ukraine, citing NATO military operations near Russian borders as a threat to its national security. Russia has also stated that it has the authority to maneuver its military within its own borders.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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