Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday warned Moscow of “massive consequences” over Ukraine as the US and its allies are stepping up rhetoric ahead of planned talks with Russia.
Blinken said the “consequences” would include sanctions “that we haven’t used before.” The US has threatened sanctions that would aim to isolate Russia from the global financial system, something Russian President Vladimir Putin warned against in a recent call with Biden.
Leading up to the US-Russia talks that are scheduled for Monday, the US is still accusing Russia of planning an invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow denies. “We’re prepared to respond forcefully to further Russian aggression,” Blinken said. “But a diplomatic solution is still possible and preferable if Russia chooses it.”
Other NATO members also had harsh words for Moscow on Friday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused Putin of bypassing the EU by seeking talks with the US first.
“Putin wants to bypass the European Union … he wants to put dents in the EU cohesion, which is solidifying,” Le Drian said.
Russia has submitted a list of security proposals to the US and is seeking guarantees that NATO won’t expand further eastward. But both Blinken and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the Russian demand was unacceptable, setting the tone for hostile talks.
Yeah Blinken, can you hear yourself? Negotiations must be a 2 way street. Russia has a big problem with the massive NATO military buildup and advance to their borders. If Russia has to reverse the US coup in Ukraine to restore democracy by force in self defense, they will. Because the US is the antidiplomatic aggressor here, and NATO is not defensive.
Is it just me or does anyone else feel that the US/NATO is looking for a fight?…
You got it right. But it almost sounds like — lets push for war, hope Russia does not take it seriously. Until we have an overwhelming geographical advantage.
Sometimes I do not know who exactly is NATO. There are members that are leading the charge -/ US and UK. France would prefer to be EU, unless it gets a higher rank in NATO decision making. Germany finally got foreign minister to US liking — but she may be too green for the times where adults must stand up in Germany. Italy and Spain are kind of hiding, Nordics are nervous. Hungary and Turkey will not go for war. Eastern Europe, like Poland and Baltics may sober up — and carefully examine their role in any war omelets.
At this point — I am watching for beligerance from European countries — but am not finding enthusiasm.
We will see if they will be falling in line,
Well said and as you suggest, we’ll have to wait and see…
“France would prefer to be EU, unless it gets a higher rank in NATO decision making.”De Gaulle sensibly and with good reason pulled out of NATO. Sarkozy had no support to re-enter. “NATO is braindead” said Macron, and he is right.
No, EU NATO is, through their mouthpieces in the White House.
Still don’t see any game-changing arms buildups; the Ukrainians are on their own if they really want to fight and lose.
Thank you for your thoughts Brockland A.T.
Thank you, you’re welcome.
EU has zero security role. Why would Russia adress its security concerns with EU? There are hundreds if European associations and just like EU have no security responsibility for the citizens. This whining is really wasting everyone’s time.
Blinken has very little support in the EU for all this tough talk.
I am glad you mentioned it. EU is nervous. Russia has correctly decided that NATO, led by US — are decisionmakers. EU claims role for itself, but executes NATO decisions. Essentially, one and the same membership.
And while it was comfy-cozy position for Europeans — picking and choosing when to be “good Europeans” vs, “bad NATO”, tve game is up.
With EU being irrelevant, each member state is quite welcome to express its concerns where it matters — in NATO. They can now — without EU fakery — be accountable for their choices.
As Europeans repeat ad nauseum the mantra of their sacred right to make decisions on their security issues with no regard to Russia’s cooncerns. I hope they remember that it would be wise for them to also make security decisions by avoiding becoming hostage to US ambitions.
It may be impossible. Having developed an entire infrastructure of toothless EU, and dependency on US for security — how can they now redefine for themselves what does it mean to be seecure.
Might the Germans still be capable of independent action? They’ve been down this sickening road (delusional imperialists of the exceptional state) before, in living memory. Oughtn’t they still retain the anti-bodies against this pack of sociopathic Strauss-ian neocons and their global hegemony, their “The Project for a New American Century”?
I heard that the new chancellor is having talks with Putin and has sidelined the “Green” Boarback (sic) FM. Some good may come of it .
Good pun. Is she another “Toria”?
He has Poland and the Baltics, but not Germany or France or the Low Countries or even Britain’s enthusiasm.
But he only sees what he wants to see.
You mean there are actually some sane people there?
I hope you are right. His attitude and words are getting more confrontational and of course include outright lies (about NATO promises and the Minsk agreement) completely out of order for a “top diplomat”.
I think blink just earned an identity: boorish blinky.
I use this term all the time now!!
Blinken sets the price as high as he possibly can, no matter what Russia might do.
So, what does that mean for Russia? Go big. There is no extra price for going all the way.
Blinken also says that the US absolutely will not compromise on the expansion of NATO. Thus, Putin has no other way to stop it than to fight.
So, we corner them into whatever is the biggest fight they think might be to their advantage.
Then we make believe they’d never do anything more than we might find comfortable to accept — a few mercenaries into the Donbas. That is fantasy.
This is just plain stupid.
“We are egging for another war” – Blinken and ilk
I certainly hope not but it feels like it to me as well and I am very nervous about it…-donna/peace chic
This is the USA’s top diplomat!!
Russia didn’t say a thing about their control of the flow of natural gas into the Ukraine and Europe in the middle of winter.
At least not publicly, but something’s making NATO shrill.
[Of course, Ukraine can also accidentally on purpose damage a few natgas pipelines; that would hurt Ukraine but Europe potentially more.]
The norsdtream 2 is ready to go, the pipeline through Ukraine is obsolete but can be used till the contract ends (2024) so Ukraine has to find some alternative soon but persists in its refusal to accept reality.
The Ukraine transit would remain in use well after 2024, it just wouldn’t be as critical to Europe or Russia.
The Euros think they can end their use of fossil fuels by 2050, but that ain’t happening.
Gazprom has made it clear that the Ukraine deal is a loser for them and only continues because Putin want to be correct in keeping to the contract.
The terms of the contract are a money loser; those can be re-negotiated. The infrastructure, is still viable.
… Probably will need extensive upgrading though.
Russia is warning Blinken of massive consequences too.
Does he think they are bluffing?
Does he think his consequences would overcome theirs? Nah, he does not really care about Ukraine, he wants to fight with Russia.
He might get more fight than he wanted. We will all suffer for his foolishness.
See how terrified they are!!!!! Sanctions they have put on Russia (even earlier-since 1975!!) but they do not work. Punishing Russia for daring to ask them to keep to promises made! Blaming Russia for “wanting to invade Ukraine” and refusing to “deescalate” the non-intervention!! NATO sec gen is off the planet, and Europe is acting like puppets to the USA, which will NOT help Ukraine even to keep to the Minsk agreement, let alone fight Russia forces allegedly lined up ready. Russia knows that the USA is the only one worth meeting with, but the USA has no strategy either!!