Washington [US], June 1 (ANI): The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will last “many more months” based on the current situation, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday.
“As best we can assess right now, we are still looking at many months of conflict,” Sputnik quoted Blinken as saying during a press briefing.
US State Secretary reiterated his country’s position that the conflict could be over right away if Russia ends its military operation in Ukraine, but added “We don’t see any signs of that right now.” Blinken underscored that the US will support Ukraine as long as the conflict lasts and ensure that the country has everything it needs to defend itself against Russia.
On February 24, Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine after Donetsk and Luhansk reportedly requested help to defend them from alleged attacks by Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defence Ministry said the operation is solely targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure and the civilian population is not in danger.
The United States, as well as nearly 40 Allies and partner countries, are working to expedite shipments of arms and equipment essential to Ukraine’s defense. Over USD 3.9 billion in U.S. arms and equipment delivered since February 24 has been critical in helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday a new Ukraine military assistance package, which includes HIMARS rocket systems. “Today, I am announcing a significant new security assistance package to provide timely and critical aid to the Ukrainian military,” Biden said in a statement.
“This new package will arm them with new capabilities and advanced weaponry, including HIMARS with battlefield munitions, to defend their territory from Russian advances. We will continue to lead the world in providing historic assistance to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” he added.
In a statement published by the White House, Biden said the people of Ukraine continue to inspire the world with their courage and resolve as they fight bravely to defend their country and their democracy against Russian aggression. “The United States will stand with our Ukrainian partners and continue to provide Ukraine with weapons and equipment to defend itself,” he added. (ANI)
West silent about sanctions on Russian ships carrying grain: Lavrov
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], June 1 (ANI): Attacking the western countries over the issue of the global shortage of food grains, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday said the West is silent about the fact that Russian ships carrying grain were sanctioned.
Although the West very loudly reminds the world that grain was not subject to sanctions, for some reason they bashfully keep silent about the fact that ships importing Russian grain were sanctioned, Lavrov was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency.
“They are not accepted in European ports, they are not insured, and, in principle, all logistics, financial chains that are associated with the supply of grain to global markets, were under the sanctions of our Western colleagues,” he said at a press conference following his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Lavrov stressed that otherwise, Russia had no problems with ensuring a stable supply of grain markets. “As far as Russia is concerned, there are no problems with ensuring a stable supply of grain to world markets. The problem lies primarily in the lack of free exit from Ukrainian ports through minefields that were planted by Ukrainian military personnel,” he added.
This statement comes a few days after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday told the leaders of France and Germany that Moscow was willing to discuss ways to make it possible for Ukraine to resume shipments of grain from Black Sea ports.
Putin held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and confirmed Moscow’s readiness to continue peace talks with Kyiv.
“Russia is ready to help find options for unhampered exports of grain, including exports of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports,” the Kremlin said.
“Increasing supplies of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products will also help reduce tension on the global food market, which, of course, would require removing the relevant restrictions,” it added.
Putin said that problems with food supplies were caused by anti-Russian sanctions and other mistakes of the West.
“Based on specific data, Vladimir Putin explained the real reasons for the difficulties with food supplies, which were the result of the misguided economic and financial policies of Western countries, as well as the anti-Russian sanctions they imposed,” the Kremlin statement said. (ANI)
