Washington has not yet agreed on new time, location of talks with Moscow

Psaki referred to the Russian president's comments today during a press conference on the weekend, which said he hoped negotiations, which would begin early next year and in Geneva, would be fruitful.

But the White House said none of these details would be hard enough.

So did Psaki, who blamed the West over tensions created in Ukraine.

She said the facts make it clear that the only aggression seen at Russia's border with Ukraine is the increasing military presence on Moscow's part and Russian leader's combat rhetoric.

Today, however, Secretary Blinken spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The State Department said they discussed common concern over Russia's military presence at the Ukrainian borders, as well as the so-called approach to two NATO lines towards Russia, noting that the Alliance remains ready for meaningful dialogue with Moscow while remaining united to protect its allies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country wants to avoid conflict with Ukraine and the West, but needs an immediate “ ” response from the United States and its allies to security guarantees requirements.

Ukraine is at the centre of rising East-West tensions. The United States and Kiev accuse Russia of planning a new attack on its southern neighbour -- a charge Moscow has rejected.

This is not our choice ( preferred), we do not want this”, Mr. Putin said at his annual press conference when asked about the possibility of conflict with Ukraine.

He said Russia had received a generally positive initial response to security proposals it handed over this month to the United States, designed to ease the current crisis. The Russian president added that he was hoping for negotiations, which he said would begin early next year in Geneva.

But in a separate response, on the same issue, President Putin increased ours, saying that NATO had shamelessly shamed “” Russia, with a successive wave of enlargement since the Cold War, said Moscow needed an urgent response.

They should give us guarantees and immediately! Now!” said Putin.

Moscow has dismissed the accusations of Kiev and Washington that it is preparing an attack on Ukraine, which could take place early next month using tens of thousands of Russian troops deployed at the border with the former Soviet republic.

Russia says it needs promises from the West, as it does not need NATO military activity in Eastern Europe. Moscow says strengthening Ukraine's ties with the Western alliance threatens its security and that NATO missile disposal on Ukrainian territory could be used against it.

We requested that there be no further NATO movement to the east. The ball is in their field, they have to answer us with something”, Putin said.

Tensions around Ukraine have plunged East-West relations to the lowest point in three decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The United States, the European Union and the Seventh Group have warned President Putin that he will face <x0) severe consequences”, including severe economic sanctions, in the event of any new aggression against Ukraine. /voa