NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday warned Russia of ‘severe costs’ if it attacks Ukraine, expressing hope of a ‘peaceful solution’ through the scheduled talks.

“We are working hard for a peaceful political path and we are ready to continue to work with Russia to try to find that path towards a peaceful solution,” Stoltenberg said.

“At the same time, we need to be prepared that Russia once again chooses to use armed force, chooses confrontation instead of cooperation,” he added, before meeting Ukraine’s deputy prime minister.

The talks between officials from Russia, the United States and its NATO allies kickstarted on Monday in Geneva over Moscow’s demand for Western security guarantees and the West’s concerns about a recent buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine.

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“We also need to send a very clear message to Russia, that we are united and that there will be severe costs — economic, political costs — for Russia if they once again use military force against Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.

The next round of negotiations will take place on Wednesday in Brussels between Moscow and all 30 NATO allies, reported news agency AFP. 

The NATO chief asserted that the alliance provides “support to Ukraine, helping them to uphold the right for self-defence”.

Stoltenberg said he did not expect the talks this week to “solve all the issues”, but wished it would initiate a process towards a political solution.

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“We are aiming for an agreement on a way forward, a process, a series of meetings,” he said.

The Geneva meeting is a first step toward rekindling dialogue as ties have worsened because Russia has deployed an estimated 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine. 

Earlier Sunday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on state television that a first round of “narrow-format” talks on security would get underway during the day, according to Tass news agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has laid out a list of demands, such as seeking guarantees that the NATO military alliance won’t seek to expand any further eastward to countries like Ukraine or Georgia, which are former Soviet republics.

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Olga Stefanishyna, one of Ukraine’s four deputy prime ministers, said “any discussions on the security guarantees should start with the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory”.

“Russia demands unconditional surrender, demands to undermine the basic principles of functioning of the democratic countries and the principles of NATO,” she said, reported AFP.

Also Read: NATO rules out any halt to expansion, rejects Russian demand

“The question really now is whether President Putin will take the path of diplomacy and dialogue or seeks confrontation,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC’s “This Week”.

(With inputs from AFP)