The Latest Breaking News from Antony Blinken

US, Russia hold their ground as Ukraine standoff drags on

There was no breakthrough in the standoff over Ukraine after the top U.S. and Russian diplomats emerged separately from their meeting in Geneva only to retread old ground and agree to keep talking.

Tribune News Service · Jan 22, 2022

Ukraine president warns Russia faces 'large-scale war' if Putin invades as tensions rise

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned of a "large scale" war with Russia if there is an invasion and that the most likely target would be the city of Kharkiv

Daily Mirror · Jan 22, 2022

Blinken talks Iran with Lavrov, sees only brief window to reach nuclear deal

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he discussed Iran on Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, warning there was only a brief window to bring talks to save the 2015 Iran nuclear deal to a successful conclusion.

Reuters · Jan 21, 2022

Biden emphasizes need for Build Back Better, citing a more just tax system – as it happened

Senator Joe Manchin doomed legislation last month, but there are signs Democrats are seeking to revive parts of it

The Guardian - US · Jan 21, 2022

U.S. will give Russians written response to NATO demands, Blinken says

Blinken also said Putin and Biden could meet for a summit.

Axios · Jan 21, 2022

Blinken vows swift and severe response if Russia attacks Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after talks with Russia's foreign minister on Friday that Moscow would face a "swift, severe and a united response" if it invades Ukraine.

Reuters · Jan 21, 2022

US ‘considering evacuating diplomats’ families’ from Ukraine amid growing fears of Russian invasion

The US is considering evacuating family members of diplomats stationed in Ukraine amid fears of a Russian invasion, according to reports.

Evening Standard · Jan 21, 2022

‘I think there will be a war’: Ukrainians wait for worst as eleventh-hour talks start

As diplomats meet in a desperate attempt to prevent conflict, people in Kiev tell world affairs editor Kim Sengupta how they fear it is too late, and that war is inevitable

The Independent UK · Jan 21, 2022

Blinken calls for Russia to release two U.S. citizens at Geneva talks

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday raised the cases of Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, two U.S. citizens detained in Russia and repeated Washington's call for their release during talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.

Reuters · Jan 21, 2022

Is There a Link Between Syria and Ukraine?

Geneva is hosting two meetings on Friday. The first between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to discuss Ukraine, and the second between UN Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen and US Official Ethan Goldrich to review the Syrian situation and propose a “step for…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 21, 2022