10 minutes agoU.S. claimed to have granted Baltic states permission to send their American weapons to Ukraine
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that he has authorised the Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to send anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles produced by the United States, a movement that comes amid Ukraine's growing tensions with Russia. “I accelerated and authorized and we fully support transfers [...]
“I accelerated and authorised and we fully support the transfers of protective equipment that NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are offering Ukraine to strengthen its ability to defend itself in the face of Russia's unprotested and irresponsible aggression,” said Blinken in a Twitter post.
He also thanked these former Soviet republics and NATO member “for their support for Ukraine. ”
Blinken's approval of arms shipments came a day after the United States and Russia failed to make any progress regarding Ukraine at the summit, except the promise that talks would continue.
Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met for about an hour and a half in Geneva, but none of them changed their stance on the core issues.
State Secretary Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met for about an hour and a half in Geneva, with the two officials refusing to move to essential requirements.
“We have been clear that if any Russian military force crosses the Ukrainian border, this would constitute a new invasion. (Such an action) will face a quick, harsh and united response from the United States and our partners and allies,” he said at a press conference in Geneva, after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The West is demanding that Russia withdraw its troops and weapons from the border with Ukraine, while Moscow is putting pressure on NATO to limit its operations in Eastern and Central Europe and insists that the Western military alliance reject Ukraine's bid for membership.
Blinken said the US and its allies are prepared to address Russia's concerns, though not unconditionally.
American officials say Russia has collected about 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine.
“They have a considerable presence of force that has not diminished. In fact, it has continued to grow. And we continue to be concerned,” told reporters Friday that Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters.
Despite such concerns from the US and its allies, Mr Lavrov tried Friday to present Ukraine as a aggressor.
“No one hides the fact that weapons are being handed over to Ukraine, that hundreds of military instructors are flocking to Ukraine now,” said Lavrov.
However, the Russian foreign minister called the talks “constructive and useful”.
Lavrov also said talks would continue on Kremlin security requirements and that both Russia and the US had pledged to impose their written concerns for further discussions.
In a joint statement late Friday, defence ministers of three Baltic states said that “focus united on our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression. ”
The statement said Estonia would give Ukraine anti-tank weapons, while Latvia and Lithuania were transporting anti-aircraft missiles and other equipment to strengthen Ukraine's military defence capabilities. It was not immediately clear when arms and equipment would arrive in Ukraine. /Balkanweb
