Washington [US], February 16 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday (local time) spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and reiterated America’s ‘commitment to continue to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis Moscow has precipitated.’
Blinken also stated that Washington looks forward to receiving Russia’s written response to the US and NATO papers shared with Moscow last month proposing concrete areas for discussion regarding European security in coordination with our Allies and partners, said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
He noted the (Russian) Foreign Minister’s statement that it would be transmitted within the coming days. Secretary Blinken reiterated our ongoing concerns that Russia has the capacity to launch an invasion of Ukraine at any moment and emphasized the need to see verifiable, credible, meaningful de-escalation, Price said in a readout of the leaders’ call. “He underscored that, while further Russian aggression against Ukraine would result in a swift, severe, and united Transatlantic response, we remain committed to the diplomatic path and believe that a window remains to resolve the crisis peacefully,” added Price.
Russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border. The troop build-up had raised concerns among the US and NATO allies that Russia is planning a military incursion.
However, Russia has continually denied having any such plans. (ANI)
US ready to ‘respond decisively’ to Russian attack on Ukraine: Biden
By Reena Bhardwaj
Washington [US], February 16 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) said that Washington is ready to respond decisively to the Russian attack on Ukraine. “We are ready to respond decisively to the Russian attack on Ukraine which is still very much a possibility,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. President Biden acknowledged reports on Tuesday that Russia has ordered the partial withdrawal of its troops near Ukraine’s borders, but stressed that the US has “not yet verified” the Kremlin’s claims and that an invasion remains “distinctly possible.”
“We have not yet verified the Russian military units are returning to their home bases — indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position, and the fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops circling Ukraine and Belarus, and along Ukraine’s border and invasion remains distinctly possible.”
“We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia though I have been clear if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully,” the US President asserted.
In remarks televised nationally, Biden emphasized that the path to diplomacy and de-escalation remains open but said if Russia invades Ukraine in the coming days or weeks “it will be met with overwhelming international condemnation.”
“Accountability matters. If Russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human cost for Ukraine will be immense. And the strategic cost for Russia will also be immense. If Russia attacks Ukraine, it will be met with overwhelming international condemnation. The world will not forget that Russia chose needless death and destruction,” the US President said in White House remarks. Biden’s speech came hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s security concerns should be addressed and taken seriously.
Biden told reporters if Russia invaded Ukraine there would be crippling sanctions that could impact the American economy, that could suffer from disruption to energy supply and price hikes in the likely event that sanctions were levied on Russia in response to any invasion of Ukraine.
“If Russia decides to invade that will also have consequences here at home, Biden said in remarks at the White House.
“The American people understand that defending democracy and liberty is never without cost.”
He said the US was prepared to respond to other attempts at inflicting pain on Americans, including in cyberspace. “We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia, though I have been clear that if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully. If Russia attacks the United States or allies through asymmetric means, like disruptive cyberattacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we’re prepared to respond,” Biden said.
Amid the ongoing tensions that started in November at the Ukraine-Russia border, President Biden made it clear that the United States is not seeking to add to the volatility. “Let me be equally clear about what we are not doing: The United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia,” said Biden, speaking from the White House.
“Ukraine is not threatening Russia. Neither the US nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not, do not have plans to put them there as well. We’re not targeting the people of Russia. We do not seek to destabilize Russia. To the citizens of Russia: you are not our enemy. I do not believe you want a bloody, destructive war against Ukraine,” he said.
Noting that Russia and the United States teamed up in World War II — which he called “a war of necessity” — Biden drew a distinction between the current state of affairs. “If Russia attacks Ukraine, it will be a war of choice or a war without cause or reason. I say these things not to provoke, but to speak the truth, because the truth matters. Accountability matters,” Biden said. “If Russia does invade in the days and weeks ahead, the human cost for Ukraine will be immense,” he added.
Diplomatic efforts continued Tuesday between US and Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a call with Lavrov, according to a State Department. Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday about the evolving crisis. (ANI)
Hyping possibility of warfare not responsible behaviour: China on Russia-Ukraine tensions
Beijing [China], February 15 (ANI): Amid the ongoing military buildup at the Russian-Ukrainian border, China called on all sides to adopt an open attitude, and work for the earnest implementation of the Minsk-2 agreement through dialogue and negotiation.
Speaking at the press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “We call on all sides to adopt an equal and open attitude, and work for the earnest implementation of the Minsk-2 agreement through dialogue and negotiation so as to create conditions for a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis.”
Answering the question on Pentagon’s remark that China’s tacit support for Russia on the Ukrainian issue was alarming, the Chinese spokesperson said, “Under the current circumstances, exaggerating and hyping up the possibility of warfare is not responsible behavior.”
He added that resorting readily to sanctions and pressure won’t help with deescalating the situation. “Clamoring for bloc confrontation will only lead to the old path of the Cold War.” President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that Russia came up with security guarantee proposals for the United States and NATO to head off a war in Europe. Putin made these remarks after hosting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Moscow, Russian news agency Sputnik reported.
“As for whether we want this, of course not. That is why we proposed negotiations that should result in an arrangement guaranteeing equal security for all, including our country,” Putin told a news conference after he was asked whether a war was looming over Europe.
Amid increasing tension over Ukraine between Russia and Western countries of the NATO, the UN Secretary-General declared on Monday that “there is no alternative to diplomacy.” “I am deeply worried by the heightened tensions and increased speculation about a potential military conflict in Europe”, Antonio Guterres told journalists, in a statement at UN Headquarters in New York. (ANI)
