Russian Diplomat: US Not Interested In Diplomatic Solution

Russian news outlet RIA carrying comments from a Russian diplomat stating that US plans to increase arms supply to Ukraine makes clear it is not, "interested in diplomatic solution."

• The comments come as the NATO leaders' summit gets underway in Vilnius, Lithuania. As was the case during last year's summit in Madrid, Russia is expected to intensify rhetoric framing NATO's actions as aggressive.
• A short time ago, RIA news cited Konstantin Gavrilov, a senior Russia diplomat in Vienna, stating that Europe will be the first to face "catastrophic consequences" if the Ukraine war escalates.
• Last week reports emerged that former US administration officials and senior Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, met secretly in the US to discuss the war in Ukraine. The White House refused to comment on the reports but also declined to deny talks took place.
• Lavrov will be in Jakarta, Indonesia this week attending the ASEAN Regional Forum. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's top diplomat Wang Yi are also slated to attend, providing a rare opportunity to informal talks to take place.