Washington. January 10th. INTERFAX - A group of experts on Russia during a videoconference on the eve of the talks in Geneva called on the national security adviser to the US President Jake Sullivan to send more weapons to Ukrainians, Axios reports with reference to the participants of the meeting.
"A group of experts on Russia called on National Security adviser Jake Sullivan to send more weapons to Ukrainians when he spoke with them ahead of diplomatic meetings with Russian officials," the portal writes.
According to Axios, Sullivan's video conference with hardliners in relations with Russia, including those who served under former President Donald Trump, took place last Monday.
"It is always wise to come into contact with supporters of a different point of view. This never has any drawbacks. (...) Jake is not afraid to interact with specialists, including those who may disagree with him, " said Michael McFaul, who served as US ambassador to Russia.
According to the portal, senior Biden administration officials say that there are several areas of concern to Russia that the United States would like to discuss on a "mutual" basis. Among them are new restrictions on missiles, as well as the size and scale of military exercises in Europe.
The interlocutors of the publication strongly denied reports that the United States is considering reducing the number of troops in Europe. According to them, this is not discussed. They also stressed that "no clear commitments will be made at the upcoming negotiations."
In turn, Sullivan told the portal that the United States does not intend to discuss European allies with Russia without their presence.
"We know that part of the Russian strategy is to try to separate us from our transatlantic allies and partners and sow discord and doubt about how we will interact during the negotiations. It won't work that way," said the National Security adviser to the US president.
