WASHINGTON, Jan 23, Jan 23 Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rebuffed the idea of imposing economic sanctions on Russia now, saying that it would undercut the West's ability to deter potential Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Russia's mass of troops near its border with Ukraine has sparked Western concerns that it might invade. If Russia does make an incursion, the West has threatened sanctions with far-reaching economic effects. Moscow hasn't plans to invade.
When it comes to sanctions, the purpose of those sanctions is to deter Russian aggression. In an interview with CNN's State of the Union program, Blinken said that if they are triggered now, you lose the deterrent effect.
If one more Russian force entered Ukraine in an aggressive manner, that would trigger a significant response, said Blinken.
Asked if U.S. hands were tied over Ukraine because of Russia's need for Russian support in separate talks on resolving Iran's nuclear program, Blinken, speaking to CBS' Face the Nation program, replied: Not in the least.