Blinken urges Lavrov to immediately escalate the situation in Ukraine

Blinken “stressed that Ukraine's further invasion would face rapid and serious consequences and urged Russia to follow the” diplomatic path, said Ned Price, the State Department spokesman.

Blinken reiterated the US pledge of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Similarly, Blinken said Washington is willing to continue to exchange bilateral security concerns.

“We are committed to prevent a conflict that is not in anyone's interest, but we are willing to set heavy costs if Russia further invades Ukraine”, Blinken wrote after the conversation.