@DeputySecState and Russian DFM Sergey Ryabkov held nearly 8 hours of talks today in Geneva. She described them as a “frank and forthright discussion”
Sherman said the US offered to meet again with Russian officials "soon" to discuss (negotiate?) missile placements in Europe.
Sherman: "We were firm in pushing back on security proposals that are simply non-starters for the United States. We will not allow anyone to slam shut NATO’s open door policy that has always been central to NATO."
Sherman: "One country cannot change the borders of another country by force.”
Sherman: "We reiterated that we believe genuine progress can only take place in a climate of deescalation, not escalation. If Russia stays at the table and takes concrete steps to deescalate tensions, we believe we can achieve progress."
Sherman: "If Russia walks away from the diplomatic path, it may well be apparent that they were never serious about pursuing diplomacy... And I said that plainly to DFM Sergei Ryabkov, Russia has a stark choice to make."
Sherman describes today’s talks as a “discussion, not a negotiation.”
Sherman: "one doesn't normally send 100,000 troops to a border just to 'exercise.' It's pretty extraordinary... it's clear it was to send a message."
Asked about the NATO expansion question: Sherman says/repeats: "we feel very strongly that countries get to decide their own foreign policy orientation... and that should not be decided by others, and should certainly not be decided by force..."
Sherman: "our central principle is 'no decisions about Ukraine, without Ukraine.' Ukraine gets to decide its foreign policy orientation. It gets to decide its future."
Sherman: "the Russians will say that they were serious about future negotiations. We will see."
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