Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation in Ukraine during a phone conversation on Friday. Lavrov outlined Russia's principled approaches in light of the ongoing special military operation, stressing that its goals and objectives will be achieved, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. They also discussed global food security and problems of bilateral relations, the statement said. During a joint press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, along with the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Haguida Koichi, Secretary Blinken said that he was "Frank and direct" while speaking with the Russian Foreign Minister. He stated, "I pressed the Kremlin to accept the substantial proposal that we've put forth on the release of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner." "I also emphasized that the world expects Russia to fulfill its commitments under the deal it reached with Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations on grain shipments from Ukraine," Blinken said. He added, "Ambassador Brink, our ambassador to Ukraine, was in Odessa this morning. She confirmed the ships are loaded and ready to go. It is important and vital that Russia make good on the commitments it's made, and made to the world, as I made clear, we're looking to see that move forward as soon as possible." The US Secretary stressed that he made it clear to Foreign Minister Lavrov that, "in light of recent statements coming from the Kremlin about their plans to proceed with the further annexation of Ukrainian territory, indeed the foreign minister's own words about replacing a democratically elected Ukrainian government as well as being part of their ongoing plans, those plans would never be accepted." — Agencies
