Blinken and Lavrov meeting canceled over Russia and Ukraine conflict

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Washington DC, 24 February 2022 (TDI): United States Secretary of State cancels meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The cancelation was made due to Russia and Ukraine conflict development. The meeting was planned for this week in Geneva.

The announcement of the cancelation happened on Tuesday due to recent occurrences in Russia and Ukraine conflict. Indeed, the reason for the cancelation came after Moscow recognized Luhansk and Donetsk’s claim of independence from Ukraine, and announced sending peacekeeping forces there.

To this action, President Joe Biden and other US officials called the move a breach of sovereignty. So the United States issued new sanctions to Russia in response to the late actions. For instance, they will implement economic sanctions on large Russian institutions that have links with the Kremlin.

Nevertheless, the US remains committed to using diplomacy if there is a demonstration from Russia to collaborate and deescalate the conflict. This cancelation shows the level of seriousness of the current Russian and Ukrainian crises.

 United States and Russia Relationship

The two states diplomatic relations started in 1809, 7 years after Russia exactly the Russian empire recognized the United States in October 1803.

The relations of the two countries have ups and downs in their evolution. For example, in 1917, their relationship was suspended due to the Bolshevik revolution. In contrast, during the two world wars, they were on the same side. The cold war era is a period known for its ideological and political fight. It was a confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union and their allies.

Regarding the economic relationship between the two nations, since 2014, there has been a weakening due to the Crimea crisis. That Crises led Russia out of the Group of 8, now known as the G-7. Moreover, the COVID-19 has shaken the economies of the world economies. which includes the US and Russia.

In regards to the multilateral level, the US and Russia are both parts of the United Nations, both are part of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Moreover, they are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and in Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).