First Set of U.S, Russia Security Talks End With Optimistic Tone

Diplomats from Russia and the U.S. wrapped up their first round of high-stakes talks over the Kremlin’s sweeping security demands amid the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, with both sides signaling an interest in continuing negotiations. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said nearly eight hours of talks in Geneva on Monday were “frank and forthright” but suggested any major breakthrough would take at least several weeks or longer. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov echoed the generally optimistic review, saying the talks were complex and professional, adding that he believed the U.S. agreed to “very seriously”…