US State Secretary: no ‘signs of real seriousness’ from Russia in peace talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday he did not see any ‘signs of real seriousness’ from Russia in pursuing peace with Ukraine.

Blinken noted Washington focused on the Kremlin’s actions rather than its words, but maintained it was up to Ukraine to decide whether there was any actual progress in peace talks.

“I have not seen anything that suggests that this is moving forward in an effective way… At least we’ve not seen signs of real seriousness, but if Ukraine concludes that there is, that’s good and we support that,” Blinken told the press.

The US State Secretary further urged Russia to stop the ‘continued brutalization of Ukraine and its people’ and withdraw forces from the country.