Blinken calls off meeting with Russia's Lavrov
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he has canceled a previously scheduled meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov because Russia recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR.
He stated this on February 22 during a joint briefing with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
"Last week, I agreed to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to discuss our concerns about European security. But this meeting would have taken place only if Russia had not invaded Ukraine. Now that we see the invasion is beginning and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy, it does not make sense to go forward with that meeting at this time. I have consulted with our allies and partners, and everyone agrees", - the official said.
He also recalled the imposition of new sanctions against Russia and the blocking of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project.
"We are implementing swift coordinated action, as well as ensuring the stability of energy supplies. The United States, allies, and partners are united in the face of Russian aggression", - Blinken said.
According to him, Russia is pursuing an aggressive policy under the guise of diplomacy.
"We will not allow Russia to hide behind diplomacy and at the same time escalate tensions on Ukraine's borders. Any escalation by Russia will soon meet with the reaction of the United States and our allies and partners. We will continue to support Ukraine and defend international law to protect all countries from aggression similar to that experienced by Ukraine', - the head of the State Department emphasized.
Dmytro Kuleba stressed that a turning point has come for European security and peace and security around the world. According to him, Russia's aggression has put the world on the brink of the largest catastrophe since World War II.
"Recognizing the so-called republics, Putin acknowledged his direct responsibility for the war with Ukraine and the unjustified war against another sovereign European state", - Kuleba said.
The minister also welcomed President Biden's decision to impose anti-Russian sanctions.
"The world must respond with all its might and punish Russia for the crimes it has already committed and for those it still plans to commit", - he said.
Read also: The world’s reaction to Russia’s recognition of the “LPR / DPR”. What is known
What is known
- Russia's aggressive decision to recognize the L/DPR as independent has been condemned by 46 countries and five international organizations.
- The Foreign Ministry asks the President of Ukraine to sever diplomatic ties with Russia.
- On February 21, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, simultaneously asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the L / DPR.
- On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed "LPR" and "DPR" and signed a decree.
- Ukraine and the West have stated that Russia's recognition of the L / DPR means its withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.
- A few hours after Russia's recognition of the L / DPR, Moscow began bringing its troops into their territory, ostensibly for peacekeeping purposes.
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine would remain the same, despite Russia's actions that mean ignoring decisions within the Normandy format and the Kremlin's unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.
- Ukraine has initiated an emergency summit of the Normandy Four. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sent a request within the framework of the Budapest Memorandum with a request to hold consultations immediately.
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