Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken both voiced pessimism ahead of the meeting. Ryabkov said that the talks could end after the first meeting.
"I don't think we're going to see any breakouts this week," Blinken told CNN on Sunday. The meeting then began with a dinner conversation between Ryabkov and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Washington and Kyiv see the movements of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine as a sign that they are preparing a new offensive on Ukraine. US President Joe Biden has warned of severe punishment if this happens. Russia denied these plans, which also said that it did not want to limit talks to military issues. One of Russia's main focuses in the talks is on NATO and demands that the military alliance not expand further.
Ryabkov: "Complicated Conversations"
The United States and NATO, for their part, believe that many of Russia's demands will not be up for discussion at all. NATO member Jens Stoltenberg will join the talks on Wednesday.
After Sunday's meeting with Sherman, Ryabkov said the talks were: "complicated but business-like." Sherman is said to have emphasized the importance of the security and independence of sovereign nations entering the alliance. According to Anthony Blinken, both sides will now bring their proposals to the negotiating table. If diplomacy fails and Russia takes action against Ukraine, there is a danger of sanctions and sanctions being imposed on Russia by the United States and its allies.
Meanwhile, a meeting between Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Olha Stefaniszina and representatives of 30 NATO countries is taking place on Monday at the military alliance's headquarters in Brussels. Stoltenberg hopes for a diplomatic solution:
I have already negotiated with Russia as Prime Minister of Norway, and I know that it is possible to have an agreement with Russia. We are working hard for a peaceful political path. At the same time, we must be prepared for Russia to choose armed forces and confrontation over cooperation once again, says the NATO chief.
Due to Russia's actions on the border with Ukraine and the opposition wants transparency in Swedish security policy, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen(s) has called for talks with all parliamentary party leaders.