Russia and Eastern Europe

During the talks, Blinken reiterated the US position that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would be quickly answered, including with tough sanctions against Moscow. "The best way to avert the crisis is through diplomatic means and that is what I hope to discuss with Sergei", Blinken said ahead of the conversation.

The trilateral meeting between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, held in Sochi on 26 November, "was a constructive stage in the post-war peace process in the region and has opened up new prospects for peace and reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan", says Vasif Huseynov in this op-ed.

The long awaited meeting of the three leaders came after more than one year since the end of the 44 day Karabakh war, during which the process to bring peace and stability to the South Caucasus appeared to be faltering. The Sochi meeting has been hailed by the three countries participating in it as a success, and as a start of a new chapter in relations.