The United States believes that during the Russian-American security talks, the parties may find common ground on issues of concern to both Russia and the United States. This was stated in an interview with CNN on Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

“We believe we can make progress in resolving concerns on both sides, which will reduce tensions and help improve security,” he said. “Any progress that we are going to achieve is possible on a reciprocal basis. If the US and Europe take steps to meet some of Russia’s concerns, then Russia will have to do the same,” added the secretary of state.

“Nothing will happen without Europe,” he added. Blinken argues that it is difficult to make progress in the context of escalation around Ukraine. “If we are really going to make progress, then we will need to see a de-escalation,” he said.

The US administration does not intend to make concessions in the security talks; Washington expects to assess whether it is possible to reduce tensions. “This is not about concessions. It’s about understanding whether, in the context of dialogue and diplomacy, both sides can take measures that will reduce tensions. We have done this in the past,” he said. “We did this with the Treaty on Measures to Further Reduce and Limit Strategic Offensive Arms,” ​​added the Secretary of State.

He reiterated Washington’s assertions that the Russian side allegedly did not comply with the agreement. Moscow categorically rejected such conclusions of the United States.

“We did this in the context of agreements on conventional armed forces in Europe, including confidence-building and transparency measures, as well as other measures during exercises. These things, of course, can be remembered if Russia is serious,” Blinken said.