US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Sunday of a “swift” and “severe” united response from the United States and its European allies if “a single additional Russian force” enters Ukraine.
Asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” regarding the situation on the Ukraine-Russia border, Blinken stressed that any incursion by Moscow, no matter how large, would result in to a firm response.
“If just one more Russian force enters Ukraine aggressively, as I said, it will trigger a swift, stern and united response from us and Europe,” the US foreign minister said. .
Blinken’s warning comes amid growing concern over Moscow’s drive to invade Ukraine. According to the United States, Russia has gathered more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden warned that Russia would face “disaster” if it launched an offensive once morest Ukraine.
The United States has engaged in a diplomatic effort in recent weeks with Russia to ease tensions in the region, but no breakthrough has been achieved.
Blinken said on Sunday that the “choice” regarding next steps in the impasse rests with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stressing that a diplomatic route is “preferable”.
“At this point, the choice belongs to Vladimir Putin, and there the paths are clear. Diplomacy, dialogue, seeing if we can build collective security in a way that is good for everyone is clearly the preferable path, but we are ready,” he said.
