U.S., Russia expect no breakthrough on Ukraine

"(Our) proposals are extremely concrete and we await equally concrete answers," Lavrov said, despite telling Blinken he did not expect a breakthrough at the talks.

Russia, which has tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's border and has sent troops to Belarus for joint military drills, wants NATO to promise not to admit Ukraine as a member and has urged the Western military alliance to halt eastward expansion.

NATO has rejected the demands.

Western states fear Moscow is planning a new assault on Ukraine after sending in forces into the former Soviet republic 2014 to annex the Crimea peninsula.

Russia denies planning an attack but says it could take unspecified military action if its security demands are not met.