Russia & UK Defense Ministers to Speak After Frosty Lavrov-Truss Meeting

LOCAL NEWS

• Russian and British Defense Ministers Sergei Shoigu and Ben Wallace are expected to hold talks in Moscow today to discuss warnings over a Ukrainian invasion and potential sanctions packages.
  • UK’s Truss invited Lavrov to visit the UK in the coming months following yesterday’s broadly unsuccessful talks. Says she wishes to see an improved bilateral relationship, but this depended on Russia choosing to de-escalate – Tass, IFX
• The top Senate Democrat negotiating a package of Russia sanctions said talks with his Republican counterpart have hit “an impasse. “But we’re still trying to work together to think about a way forward,” Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said.
  • Main concerns are related to secondary sanctions on all Russian banks hurting alliances in Europe and also disagreement on wording for NS2 sanctions. Mendez Said “the bill isn’t dead. I think we’re thinking of a different process to move forward” - bbg
• In response to the start of Russia-Belarus military drills yesterday, the U.S. Navy said it had deployed four more destroyers to Europe, for maritime exercises with NATO allies. The Navy didn't say how long the ships would operate in the region. The destroyers join four other destroyers already assigned there - bbg
• Deputy Chief of Staff Kozak says Normandy format talks end without results as the parties could not overcome differences regarding the interpretation of the Minsk agreements after 8.5hrs. No additional meeting was scheduled at this point – Tass
• Turkish FM Cavusoglu slams West for sowing panic in Ukraine, arguing that statements alluding to an imminent invasion only lead to an increase in panic and a worsening of the economic situation in the region.
  • Says the allegations do not match the reality and that dialogue should be favoured over megaphone diplomacy – Tass