—US Secretary of State meets Ukrainian President in Kyiv
DM MONITORING
KYIV: The United States says Russia is ready to attack Ukraine at “very short notice”, warning the country is facing an “unprecedented threat”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the comments on Wednesday in Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the start of a hastily arranged diplomatic push to defuse the growing crisis. Blinken will meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Friday in Geneva.
Ukraine, the US and Kyiv’s other Western allies fear Russia may invade Ukraine soon, given Moscow’s deployment of thousands of troops near their shared border.
Russia says it is not planning an attack, and instead blames NATO for undermining the region’s security.
Ukraine, NATO leaders discuss summit in June
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has spoken to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg by telephone and “exchanged information and views on the diplomatic efforts needed for stability in Europe” with him.
“Discussed preparations for the NATO Summit in June and Ukraine’s possible participation in it. The open door policy remains unchanged!,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter, citing the military alliance’s stance that potential membership remains open to any European country in a position to undertake the commitments and obligations that come with joining it.
EU should seek political solution: Macron
The European Union must hold “frank dialogue” with Russia and seek a political solution, French President Emmanuel Macron tells the European Parliament.
Addressing lawmakers at the start of France’s six-months presidency of the EU, Macron said member states should define among themselves a “new stability and security order” that they would then discuss with Moscow. “The security of our continent is indivisible”, he said.
A proponent of the EU having its own “strategic autonomy” in the field of defence, Macron added that the bloc must bring itself to a position to make sure “it can be respected,” including by making sure it is not too dependent on Russia for its energy supplies.
Blinken warns of ‘unprecedented threat’ to Ukraine
The US Secretary of State says Ukraine is facing an “unprecedented threat” in light of Russia’s build-up of some 100,000 troops near the shared border.
Speaking during his meeting with Zelenskyy, Blinken reemphasised a strong response from the US and its allies – expected to take the form of sweeping sanctions – if Russia attacks.
However, he added Washington’s “clear preference” was to find a “diplomatic resolution” to the situation. “It’s the most responsible thing that any of us can do,” Blinken said.
