Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with CNN on Sunday that there are a “number of areas” where the US can work with Russia on security concerns.
“There are a number of areas where I think it would be possible for us to address each other’s concerns about the — about security in Europe in a way that is good for everyone — Europeans, Americans, and Russians,” Blinken said.
When asked for examples of areas of cooperation, Blinken said, “Arms control, greater transparency, risk reduction, the placement of missile systems, things of that nature.”
But Blinken said that the US wouldn’t compromise on NATO’s open-door policy, and one of Russia’s main demands is for a guarantee that Ukraine won’t ever join the Western military alliance.
During a press conference last week, President Biden also said NATO wouldn’t make such a promise to Russia. But Biden admitted that it’s “not likely” Ukraine will join NATO in the near future.
Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday. After the meeting, Blinken said the US would be giving Russia a written response to its security proposals sometime this week.
During the interview on Sunday, Blinken also hyped up the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and warned Moscow of “massive consequences.”
Blinken is full of crap and he knows it. Once a war breaks out, U.S. will be in no obligation with any of their agreements.
Where’s Ray McGovern? Where’s Gilbert Doctorow? Blinken just explicitly said the US is not going to agree to Russia’s central concern – NATO expansion. The Russians have already said they’re not going to be distracted by any other issues. So when Blinken gives Lavrov next week a “written response” which does not cover Russia’s central concern, the talks will end.
“Blinken just explicitly said”
Did Blinken, or his masters, suddenly become far more honest and reliable than they have been in the past?
The Biden admin must be getting very good at penning “We can’t deliver” notes in obfuscate-ese.
The main Russian security concern would be Kiev’s irrevocable plans to ethnically cleanse the Donbass of Russians they don’t like.
Next would be UK plans to build Ukraine ports up to a NATO standard, that could among other things see visits of strategically armed NATO warships.
A lot to talk about indeed. Biden should choose America First over a renewed Eastern European Great Game.
Western Europe First Globalism plus Israel First was bad enough without adding Eastern Europe/Ukraine First Globalism to the defense welfare rolls.