Blinken: ‘The United States is prepared for both cases’
The United States issued its official response to the Russian demands regarding the crisis in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that his country has sent a proposal that presents a “serious diplomatic path forward that Russia must choose,” adding that Washington is working at the same time to strengthen Ukraine’s military defenses.
Blinken urged US citizens in Ukraine to “seriously consider” leaving Ukraine, reiterating his earlier guidance.
Russia had issued a written list, including its concerns regarding NATO’s military expansion, and security issues related to this step.
And it came in the list, a request to NATO to exclude the possibility of Ukraine joining the alliance.
Russia has sent a large number of its forces to the Ukrainian border, during the past weeks. Which the Western countries saw as preparations for the invasion. But Russia denies this.
The US secretary of state said the US response made clear its “fundamental principles”, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and its right to choose to be part of security alliances such as NATO.
“There should be no doubt regarding the seriousness of our goal when it comes to diplomacy, and we are acting with the same focus and force to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses and prepare a rapid, united response to further Russian aggression,” he added.
“It is up to Russia to decide how to respond,” he added. “We are ready either way.”
The US State Department announced the dispatch of three ships carrying military “assistance” this week, including Javelin missiles and anti-armor weapons, as well as hundreds of tons of ammunition and equipment.
Blinken denied the existence of any disagreement or difference of opinion, between the United States and its European allies. He said that NATO has prepared its own set of proposals that “fully reinforce our proposals and vice versa.”
Neither the US nor the Russian documents have been made public.
“Diplomacy has a better chance of succeeding if we make space for secret talks,” Blinken said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance document had been handed over to Moscow. He added that while he was willing to listen to Russia’s concerns, all countries had the right to choose their own security arrangements.
In response to a question regarding strengthening NATO’s presence near the Russian border, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Stoltenberg “has lost touch with reality.”
“You know, I stopped seeing his statements a long time ago,” Lavrov added in an interview with the press in the Russian parliament, broadcast live on social media.
