Putin’s “provocative rhetoric” on the use of nuclear weapons is the “peak of irresponsibility” (Blinken) / Tour in Poland, the Baltic countries and Moldova
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “provocative rhetoric” about nuclear weapons, “a culmination of irresponsibility,” he said.
US Secretary of State Antony BlinkenPhoto: Alex Brandon / AFP / Profimedia
Such rhetoric “is dangerous, increases the risk of confusion and should be avoided,” the secretary of state said at a news conference, according to AFP.
Blinken said on Wednesday that the United States remains open to diplomacy with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but said it does not exist unless Russia withdraws its forces.
“Of course, we remain open to any reasonable path, but it is very difficult to see any path when the bombs fall, the planes fly, the tanks run,” Blinken told State Department reporters. “So de-escalation, the withdrawal of forces, would open a path to diplomacy.”
Blinken added that the United States would help Ukraine diplomatically if Kiev had a way out that could end the war, but he noted that Russia “often through diplomacy claims” while continuing the aggressive path.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Belgium, Poland, the Baltic states and Moldova on March 3-8 to reaffirm US support for Russia’s threats, the State Department said on Wednesday.
The Secretary of State will leave the United States on Thursday and will first stop in Brussels for meetings with his counterparts in the European Union and NATO countries to “discuss the global response to Russia’s invasion” in Ukraine, according to a press release.
Then, on March 5, he will travel to Poland, which is on the front line to receive refugees fleeing Ukraine from the Russian invasion.
Blinken will discuss with Polish leaders “additional security assistance in the face of Russia’s continued aggression” in Ukraine, according to the State Department.