Top diplomats for U.S., Russia meet in Geneva on soaring Ukraine tensions

GENEVA, Jan 21 (Reuters) - The top diplomats of Russia and the United States played down any prospect of quickly resolving their differences over Ukraine at talks they began in Switzerland on Friday, but the U.S.

Lavrov told Blinken he did not expect a breakthrough at the Geneva talks.

You're right: We don't expect to resolve our differences here today," Blinken said in his opening remarks.

We’re committed to walking that path, to resolving our differences peacefully and I hope to test that proposition today," Blinken added.

President Joe Biden's comments at a news conference on Wednesday in which he predicted Russia would "move in" on Ukraine and said Moscow would pay dearly.

Russia denies it is planning an attack, but says it could take unspecified military action if a list of demands are not met, including a promise from NATO never to admit Ukraine.

Asked by CBS News if Russia was intimidated by Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on arriving for the talks on a cold and blustery day in Geneva: "We're not afraid of anyone, even not of the U.S..".

The Kremlin was not expecting Blinken to hand over a written response to Russia's sweeping demands for security guarantees from the West on Friday, Peskov said.