US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken

Written by Humera Pam and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Thursday that his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had been canceled following Moscow’s recognition of two separate territories in Ukraine as independent entities.

Blinken said Russia had agreed to meet with Lavrov only if it did not invade Ukraine.

“Now we see the beginning of the occupation and the complete rejection of Russia’s diplomacy. At this point, there is no point in moving forward with this meeting,” Blinken told reporters after a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba. Washington.

“I consulted with our allies and partners; Everyone agreed, ”Blinken said, sending a letter to Lavrov on Tuesday informing him that he would not be seen.

The Secretary of State said the United States and its allies would increase sanctions if Russia intensified its offensive against Ukraine.

(Reported by Humeira Pamuk and Simon Lewis)

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