The United States and its allies are ready to discuss with Russia, in talks on Ukraine, the possibility for each side to restrict military activities and missile deployments in the region, said on Saturday (January 8th). a senior official in the administration of US President Joe Biden.
While crucial negotiations are due to begin Monday, January 10 in Geneva, the senior official said during a conference call that the United States was not ready to discuss the limits of the deployment of American troops or the maintenance US forces in NATO countries in the region.
Threats of heavy economic sanctions
Joe Biden warned that Russia would face serious economic consequences if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine. US officials on Saturday provided more details on the sanctions that could be taken against Moscow. According to a source familiar with the US plans, they could target key Russian industrial sectors, such as defense and civil aviation, and affect Russia’s ambitions in high-tech, for example in the field of artificial intelligence. or quantum computing, or even consumer electronics.
The Geneva negotiations, which will be followed by further discussion sessions in Brussels and Vienna, aim to avert a crisis. A first conversation between Russians and Americans could take place as early as Sunday evening. Vladimir Putin has massed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Ukraine, raising fears of an invasion.