In his first meeting with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The two officials met on March 2nd, 2023, in what was seen as a highly anticipated meeting between the two countries.

Blinken’s demand for an end to the war came amidst rising tensions between Russia and the United States, with the West seeking to isolate Russia from the international community. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Blinken emphasized the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and reiterated the US’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Lavrov, speaking to Indian media, accused the West of seeking Russia’s isolation and stated that Russia was committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting between Blinken and Lavrov was seen as a positive development in the US-Russia relationship and the international community hopes that it will pave the way for further dialogue between the two countries.

The meeting between the two officials also marked the first time that Blinken and Lavrov had met since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The conflict, which began in 2014, has claimed thousands of lives and led to a deepening of the divide between Russia and the West. However, with both Blinken and Lavrov expressing a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, there is hope that a solution to the ongoing crisis can be found.