Botn diplomatic meetings which were schedulled for next Thrusday, the one between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin and the other one between Antony Blinken and Sergey Lavrov, have been cancelled by the US side till Russia stop sending troops to the frontier of Ukraine and to the self-declared Popular Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
“…there is still time to avert the worst-case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested.
The United States and our Allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious. When all is said and done, we’re going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words,” underscored Joe Biden today,”Joe Biden (The President of the United States said this afternoon).
“Last week, I agreed to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week on February 24th to discuss our countries’ respective concerns about European security, but only if Russia did not invade Ukraine. Now that we see the invasion is beginning and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time. I consulted with our allies and partners – all agree – and today I sent Foreign Minister Lavrov a letter informing him of this,” said Antony J., Blinken (Secretary of State of the USA) during a joint press conference with Dmytro Kuleba (Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine).
Just a first tranche of economic sanctions, but many more in the toolbox
Besides the temporary stop of negotiations,the President of the United States unveiled today a bunch of economic sanctions coordinated with the allies from the European Union, UK, Canada and Australia (I include the meassures in the table below).
And this sanctions will be risen deppending on Russia’s bhavior: “As Russia contemplates its next move, we have our next move prepared as well. Russia will pay an even steeper price if it continues its aggression, including additional sanctions.”
To know exactly the actual extent of this pool of sanctions, click here and on the Related external links I provide below.
If Russia invades, the US will fight to protect NATO members and support Ukraine
The USA is also preparing its troops for defensive actions: “Today, in response to Russia’s admission that it will not withdraw its forces from Belarus, I have authorized additional movements of U.S. forces and equipment already stationed in Europe to strengthen our Baltic Allies, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Let me be clear: These are totally defensive moves on our part. We have no intention of fighting Russia. We want to send an unmistakable message, though, that the United States, together with our Allies, will defend every inch of NATO territory and abide by the commitments we made to NATO.”
“…Further Russian assault into Ukraine remains a severe threat in the days ahead. And if Russia proceeds, it is Russia, and Russia alone, that bears the responsibility.”
Image over the headline.- Joe Biden at the press conference held today to explain the situation in Ukraine and unveil the first tranche of economic sanctions against Russia. Caption of the video published on The White House’s You Tube channel.
Related external links:
Remarks of the President of the United States, Joe Biden (document)
Remarks of the President of the United States, Joe Biden (video)
Press conference offered by the Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Daleep Singh
Related Eastwind links (English edition):
Zelenski asks the European Union taking concrete steps towards Ukraine’ full membership
Zelenski, to declare the emergency state in Ukraine
Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, back on track
Doha Declaration of the 6th Gas Exporting Countries Forum
The Ukrainian crisis.- Calling Russia to dialogue while showing the economic and troops’ fangs
EU and Ukraine deepen their Association Agreement, facing Russia
