US ready to discuss curbing military exercises in Ukraine talks with Russia

The US and allies are prepared to discuss with Russia in talks about Ukraine the possibility of each side restricting military exercises and missile deployments in the region, a senior US official said on Saturday.

With crucial talks set to start on Monday in Geneva, the Biden administration official said the US was not willing to discuss limits on US troop deployments or the US force posture in Nato countries in the region.

The senior US official, briefing reporters ahead of the talks, said some areas presented opportunities for common ground.

“Any discussion of those overlapping areas where we might be able to make progress would have to be reciprocal,” the official said. “Both sides would need to make essentially the same commitment.“

Russia says it feels threatened by the prospect of the US deploying offensive missile systems in Ukraine, even though Biden has assured Putin he has no intention of doing so.

“So this is one area where we may be able to reach an understanding if Russia is willing to make a reciprocal commitment,” the official said.