Ukraine conflict
Stand “firmly on the side of Ukraine”: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken threatens the consequences of a Russian invasion
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
© Bernd Von Jutrczenka / DPA
After the Russian foreign minister, his US colleague Antony Blinken also spoke of an open dialogue between the two parties. At the same time, he threatened Russia with consequences if the country invaded Ukraine.
After Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, his US colleague Antony Blinken also commented on the talks. At the subsequent press conference, he also spoke of “open and substantial” talks. At the same time, he again warned his colleague Lavrov against an invasion of Ukraine. “I have conveyed the position of the United States and our European allies and partners that we stand firmly with Ukraine and support its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Blinken said. Should Russia invade there, he made it clear that the US and NATO would react immediately. “Aggression from Russia will be met with a united response,” announced the US Secretary of State.
“We want diplomacy and dialogue to prevail, but we will threaten serious consequences if Russia continues down the path of aggression.” Blinken clarified that the US and its partners are ready to address Russia’s security concerns, but the same must also apply to Russia.
He wants to continue talking to Moscow about the Ukraine conflict. “We didn’t expect a big breakthrough today, but I think we’re on a clear path now in terms of understanding each other’s concerns and positions,” said Blinken. He assumes that he will be able to communicate his concerns and ideas about the crisis to Russia in more detail and in writing in the coming week. “And we have agreed to hold further talks afterwards,” said Blinken. The aim is also to respond to Russia’s demands. Lavrov assured Blinken that Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine.
US wants to ease tensions
The United States initiated the meeting because of tensions over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The situation is critical, Blinken said at the start and again warned Russia against an attack on the neighboring country. He hopes to resolve the crisis diplomatically and peacefully. The goal is de-escalation. Lavrov thanked the possibility of a meeting at which Russia would discuss its demands on the US and NATO for written security guarantees. Blinken and Lavrov ended their crisis talks in the Ukraine conflict after around an hour and a half, earlier than planned. At the start, both made it clear that they did not expect a breakthrough in the talks.
Following the talks, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke. At the press conference, he spoke of an “open” exchange. Both sides agree on the need for a “reasonable dialogue”. At the same time he criticized the eastward expansion of NATO. (You can read the statements of the Russian Foreign Minister here.)
Efforts to ease the tension have been in full swing since last week, but have so far produced no tangible results. The US and its allies fear Russia could invade Ukraine. They demand that the roughly 100,000 Russian soldiers who have gathered at the border withdraw to the rear. Russia, on the other hand, wants written security guarantees and an end to the eastward expansion of the western military alliance NATO.