On Monday, U.S.-Russian officials will gather in Geneva to begin a series high-stakes negotiations as tensions continue to rise over Ukraine.

Russia has intensified its presence on its Ukrainian border in the last months. There are fears that Russia President Vladimir Putin plans to invade Ukraine. Russia denies such allegations, stating that it is entitled to station troops wherever it pleases on its territory.

Putin sought to get assurances from President Joe Biden that Ukraine would not be allowed into NATO. It regards any extension of western military alliances further eastwards as a threat to its security. Biden refused to give such assurances.

On Sunday, Antony Blinken, Secretary of State in the U.S. stated that he does not expect any improvement in relations between Russia and Russia so long as tensions at the Ukraine border are high.

“If these talks are actually going forward, but I don’t think that we’re really going to make any progress next week,” Blinken said. It’s difficult to achieve real progress when there is an ongoing escalation,” Blinken explained.

He said that Russia has 100,000 troops close to its border and that it could quickly increase the number. If we are seeing de-escalation or a drop in tensions, then that environment is conducive to real progress. We can also address legitimate concerns and concerns of both parties.

Jen Psaki, White House spokesperson, stated that the United States and its allies would raise issues such as election interference and arms agreements with Ukraine at any security negotiations with Russia. Jen Psaki spoke to reporters last week. Wednesday.

Talking to journalists at a White Houses briefingPsaki stated that Russia had raised the question of European security. Let us be very clear. Russia invaded neighboring countries over two decades. It also interfered with numerous other elections…. Used chemical weapons to assassinate foreigners and violated international arms control accords.

These issues will be raised by our allies and Russia as part of the talks in the weeks and days ahead. “And of course, it is important to remember that the Russian military occupation of Ukraine continues,” she said, referring specifically to the conflict in Donbass, east Ukraine, where pro-Russian forces have been fighting Ukrainian troops for many years.

“Europe has a history of despots who threaten more compassionate actors. This has been done before. However, we must remind the world who’s really in this situation. While it’s a game of information, Putin can also take military action if necessary. Wir are on the verge of war. Putin is able to bring about war if Putin wants it. “It would hurt Russia horribly, and it would harm Europe irretrievably,” Putin said to CNBC Capital Connection on Monday.