The United States monitors possible manifestations of Russian aggression – both in the field of energy and in connection with the observed military activity near Russia’s western borders, and is ready to respond to them, said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Speaking about the latter, he noted that the American side does not know the intentions of the Russian Federation. Earlier, CNN sources reported that the head of the CIA, William Burns, came to Moscow, among other things, to find out about them.
“We are concerned about reports of unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine. Any actions to aggravate the situation or aggressive actions would cause extreme concern for the United States, ”said Mr Blinken following a meeting of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Commission (SPC). He added that the United States is not clear about Russia’s intentions, but “we know what scenario they are playing on.” “Whatever provocations we see, they come from Russia,” he said (quoted by The Associated Press).
The secretary of state also noted that the United States is watching the possible use of the energy issue by Russia as a weapon. “In case Russia tries to use energy as a weapon or undertake further acts of aggression against Ukraine, both we and Germany are committed to providing an appropriate response,” Mr. Blinken quoted Reuters as saying.
The PCB meeting in Washington was the first in three years, and was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba. The purpose of the meeting is to reboot the commission and update the Cooperation Charter signed back in 2008. On the eve of his trip to Washington, Mr. Kuleba said that 2021 “will become a new starting point for relations between Ukraine and the United States.”
For more details, see the article “Kommersant” “The relations between Ukraine and the United States were rolled into cement.”
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