Kremlin: Not much optimism after Russia-US talks on Ukraine

By DASHA LITVINOVA and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin says the security talks with the U.S. over tensions in Ukraine have given little reason for optimism, adding that Russia would wait for the outcome of other meetings this week before deciding whether it’s worth to continue negotiations. The U.S. envoy to NATO set a tough tone for the next round of talks with Moscow, ruling out any concessions on the alliance’s eastward expansion amid a Russian troops buildup near Ukraine. At the Geneva talks, Moscow insisted on guarantees to halt NATO’s expansion and even roll back the military alliance’s deployments in Eastern Europe. Washington firmly rejected the demands as a nonstarter.