Blinken Urges 'Immediate Russian De-escalation' Over Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Tuesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and urged "immediate Russian de-escalation and the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Ukraine's borders," the State Department said.

"We’re committed to preventing a conflict that is in no one’s interest but ready to impose severe costs if Russia further invades Ukraine," Blinken said on Twitter.

Blinken, in another Twitter post,  also emphasized the United States' willingness "together with Allies and partners, to continue discussions of mutual security concerns."