US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed yesterday that it is Russian President Vladimir Putin who will make the decision on whether the current crisis in Ukraine will end in diplomatic ways. He also clarified that if Russia acts against Ukraine, the United States will increase its defense assistance to Kiev.
Blinkan arrived in Kiev yesterday and met with President Volodymyr Zalansky and other senior officials to express American support for Ukraine, after the White House warned on Tuesday that Russia has the ability to launch an immediate offensive against Ukraine. Blink will be in Geneva tomorrow with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, for a meeting that could have a significant impact on diplomatic prospects.
“We know there are plans to increase Russian forces near the border at short notice, and this gives President Putin the ability to take further aggressive action against Ukraine,” the secretary told US embassy staff in Kiev. “It remains to be seen what situation we will be in this weekend. “I hope we can keep the diplomatic path in peace, but in the end it will be Putin’s decision.”
In a meeting with Zalansky, Blinken noted that the United States and its allies had made it clear to Russia that if it took aggression against Ukraine, it would face “serious consequences” against its economy, and that NATO would strengthen its presence on the front lines. “I can not read Putin’s thoughts, we must base what we do on history,” the secretary of state explained when he later met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kolba. “Unfortunately, Russia has invaded its neighbors. It now places a massive amount of forces on the border with Ukraine. We will have to base our decisions on facts, on what we see. “
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During his visit, Linken also stressed the need for internal unity due to Russia’s attempts to sow division. His remarks came amid tensions over the decision to indict treason against former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for his involvement in the sale of coal that helped fund pro-Russian separatist activities in the east of the country.
Yesterday, a court in Kiev ruled that Poroshenko would not have to remain in custody despite the prosecution’s request for a $ 37 million bail order, and ordered the former president to deposit his passport. Outside the courtroom, clashes broke out between Poroshenko’s supporters and police forces. The protesters also marched towards the presidential palace accusing Zalansky of political persecution. Poroshenko himself declared: “Zelsky is not the enemy but Putin.”