NADI, Fiji (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday he would speak to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later in the day, reiterating that Washington and its allies would swiftly impose heavy economic sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine.
Speaking from Fiji, where he was meeting with leaders from the Pacific region, he added that if Russia was really willing to resolve the conflict diplomatically, the United States was ready to play its part. role in this process.
But Washington has also prepared for the possibility that Moscow chooses aggression, he said.
“If President Putin decides to take military action, we will quickly impose severe economic sanctions, in coordination with our allies and partners around the world,” he told a press conference.
“We will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, we will strengthen our allies on the eastern wing of NATO.”
Antony Blinken also said he would ask Sergei Lavrov to respond to proposals submitted by Washington to try to resolve the crisis.
“So far we have seen only an escalation from Moscow. We are at a key moment, we are prepared for any eventuality.”
On Friday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Russia was now in a position to launch a major offensive and he advised Americans still in Ukraine to leave the country.
US President Joe Biden is due to meet later today with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, after talks on Friday with the leaders of several US allies.
Reporting on this interview, the Elysée declared that Western leaders had reaffirmed their desire to favor the diplomatic route, dialogue and deterrence.
In the UK, Deputy Minister for Defense James Heappey told Sky News that Britons who choose to remain in Ukraine should not rely on a military evacuation in the event of an armed conflict with Russia.
(Humeyra Pamuk report, with James Davey in London, French version Marc Angrand)
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