US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to “end this war of aggression” against Ukraine.
These are Mr. Blinken’s first face-to-face remarks to Mr. Lavrov since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion more than a year ago.
On Thursday, the two met momentarily in Delhi, the Indian capital, during the G20 summit.
Mr. Blinken also brought up the case of Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia.
A senior State Department official said the discussion in Delhi lasted less than 10 minutes – they spoke “on the move” said the Russian foreign ministry, downplaying the exchange.
“I told the foreign minister [Sergei Lavrov] what I and so many others said last week at the United Nations and what so many G20 foreign ministers said today – end this war of aggression, engage in meaningful diplomacy that can produce a just and lasting peace,” Mr. Blinken said at a briefing following the talks.
He said he also urged Russia to rejoin the New START nuclear arms control treaty, characterizing as “irresponsible” Moscow’s recent decision to suspend its participation in the agreement.
Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, verified that the meeting took place but provided no further details.
Mr. Blinken and Mr. Lavrov last met in Geneva in January 2022.
Mr. Lavrov accused Western nations earlier on Thursday of attempting to influence neutral states to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The West continues to drive everyone and everything,” he said.
Mr. Lavrov remained silent regarding his “elbow contact” with his American counterpart, but it was not a diplomatic negotiation.
During the G20 meeting, he accused the West of encouraging Kyiv to continue the conflict.
The inability of foreign ministers to concur on a joint statement demonstrated that disagreements regarding the war have grown more pronounced over the past year.
During the Delhi summit, Mr. Blinken reportedly met with senior diplomats to garner support for Ukraine.
Later in the day, he appeared via video link before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to reiterate his condemnation of Russia.
However, he stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin “has shown no interest in engaging.”
The G20, which consists of the world’s 19 wealthiest nations and the European Union, accounts for 85% of global economic output and two-thirds of its population.
