Washington - January 8 ANI - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that a diplomatic solution to the Russian military buildup on the Ukraine border is still possible and preferable, but the alliance is prepared to respond forcefully to Russian aggression.
According to reporters, Blinken said Russia could choose a diplomatic solution on Ukraine next week, but warned that the United States would not be diverted by Moscow's demands.
We're prepared to respond forcefully to Russian aggression. If Russia chooses to do it, a diplomatic solution is still possible and preferable, according to Blinked.
We will not be diverted from that issue because what is happening in Ukraine is not only about Ukraine. It is part of a broader pattern of destabilizing, dangerous, and often illegal behavior by Moscow as it tries to build a sphere of influence that covers the countries that were once under Soviet dominion, and to stop them from realizing their democratic aspirations as fully sovereign, independent nations, he said.
We are committed to meaningful reciprocal dialogue with Russia. We would prefer a diplomatic path and a diplomatic solution to the crisis that Russia has brought forth. The US Secretary of State said that the US-Russian Strategic Stability Dialogue, the NATO-Russia Council, and the OSCE will be all about that next week.
He said that the US will reconfirm its readiness to increase transparency, institute new risk-reduction measures, and renew efforts to address nuclear and conventional threats to European security next week.
He added that it has to be a two-way street. We want to have a relationship with Russia that is predictable and stable, so that we can cooperate when it's in our mutual interest, and address our differences with an open and frank dialogue, according to Blinken.
Russian and US officials are expected to meet in Geneva on January 10 amid a Russian military buildup on the Ukraine border and ongoing tensions.