Blinken visited Kiev on Wednesday, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleb to consult with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov ahead of his meeting on Friday. Mr Blinken reiterated that diplomacy was the best way to ease tensions in the region.
Russia’s aggression will not go unanswered
Given the number of military forces on Ukraine’s border, Russia could attack it very quickly, so Kiev is currently facing a real threat, Blinken said.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on support for Ukraine
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“At the same time, we have made it clear to Moscow that if it decides to pursue aggression against Ukraine again, it will not be left without a serious answer. Not only from the USA, but also from European countries, ”emphasizes Blinken.
“Such consultations with our partners confirm that we are talking to Moscow clearly and with one voice. Our strength depends on our unity. It also means the unity of Ukraine. One of Moscow’s goals is to sow disputes between our countries and within our countries, but we simply must not allow it and we will not allow it. Our message to Ukraine’s political leaders and citizens is this: let us stick together and be united.
Great powers must not change the borders of another country by force
The United States will provide Ukraine with an additional $ 200 million in military defense support. This is due to the fact that, according to reports from Western security services, Russia has increased the presence of military forces at Ukraine’s borders in recent days and there are real concerns about the invasion of the country.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (from left) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleb
Photo: REUTERS
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“Russia, with its past and possible future aggression, is threatening the very basic principles that underpin the entire international system and are necessary to maintain peace and security,” Blinken said.
“For example, that one nation must not simply change the borders of another.” That one nation cannot dictate to another its desires, including what to associate with.
The principle that a state cannot use its sphere of influence to subjugate its neighbors to its will. If we allow these principles to be violated, we will open a large Pandora’s box.
It must be understood that the whole world is watching what happens now. “
Ukraine is strengthening its self-defense capabilities
The United States is not the only one providing aid to Ukraine. Latvia has supplied various items in the warehouses of the defense sector, while Canada has sent representatives of the special task force. British aircraft with short-range anti-tank missiles arrived in the country on Wednesday.
“There is no doubt that it will strengthen our forces, it will improve our defense capabilities,” said Anatoly Petrenko, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense.
“I would like to emphasize that this assistance will only be used for self-defense purposes, to protect our troops, to protect critical infrastructure and to protect civilians in the event of activities that could lead to escalation.”
However, Moscow has denied plans to attack Ukraine and said that armaments and military support to Ukraine are increasing rather than easing tensions in the region.
The Kremlin has reiterated that it expects so-called “security guarantees” from the West, which would mean no further NATO expansion to the east, including in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Blinken will discuss the current security situation in Berlin with his German counterparts on Thursday, and a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled in Friday in Geneva.
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