US ready to negotiate if Russia withdraws troops from Ukraine, Blinken says

"We're keeping the door open to a diplomatic way forward. That's going to be very hard to happen without military de-escalation. It's much more difficult for diplomacy to succeed when guns are firing, tanks are rolling, planes are flying. But if Russia pulls back and pursues diplomacy, we stand ready to do the same thing," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Report informs.

"Meanwhile, our intensive diplomacy with allies and partners continues. I've been in virtually daily contact with my friend and counterpart, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kuleba, and I've made clear that we'll support any diplomatic efforts by the Ukrainian Government to reach a ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian forces. If there are diplomatic steps that we can take that the Ukrainian Government believes would be helpful, we're prepared to take them – even as we continue to support Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

"Over the past several days, I authorized the expedited transfer of U.S.-origin defensive equipment from allies to Ukraine, and we are coordinating efforts to get this equipment – including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry, as well as small arms and munitions – into the hands of Ukrainian fighters, who are defending their country with skill and determination. We're sending humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine as well," he noted.