US Secretary of State and G4 counterpart discuss Russia-Ukraine tensions in Brussels
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his G$ counterparts on Wednesday met on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meet in Brussels to discuss the rising Russia-Ukraine tensions.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a press release that “The US reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and commended Ukraine’s restraint in the face of Russian provocations, including military buildup, inflammatory rhetoric, and increasing attacks at the Line of Contact”.
Price further stated that they emphasised the need for Russia to immediately de-escalate tensions with Ukraine. The meeting also covered matters concerning Afghanistan, Iran and Yemen.
Blinken and US Defense Secretary Llyod Austin attended a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels this week to discuss matters on Afghanistan and Russian troop movements near Ukraine’s border.
According to Russian news agencies, the Russian officials have described the situation on the border with Ukraine as “frightening” and vowed to bolster security response to an increased NATO presence.
The situation on the eastern border of #Ukraine and #Crimea is deeply concerning as we witness another Putin provocation. The US and #NATO must stand in support of our allies, and urge the Kremlin to end this aggressive escalation. https://t.co/10j5nn2AgH
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) April 12, 2021
Biden Promises Summit
US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, emphasised Washington’s “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine’s sovereignty and expressed concern over Russian military build-up, the White House said on Tuesday. It further added, “The president voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate the tensions”.
Meanwhile, Biden also proposed a summit between the two leaders in a third country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Brussels for talks on Tuesday with NATO leaders and Ukraine’s foreign minister, echoed Biden, saying the US stood firmly behind Ukraine.
Blinken further said that he would reconsider Kyiv’s hopes to one day join NATO. Although France and Germany have long fretted the proposal and stated that bringing the former Soviet republic into the Western alliance would antagonize Russia.
