Blenken towards Europe in search of unity for wars in Ukraine and Gaza

Russia conducted air strikes on Ukraine's northeastern town of Kharkiv, on Wednesday, for the first time since 2022, killing at least one civilian and injuring 16 others, as well as causing major damage.

State Secretary Antony Blinken will travel to Europe next week to strengthen support for Ukraine, as the State Department announced.

“Secretary Blinken will go to Paris, Brussels and Leuven, Belgium, from April 1st to 5th to stress our commitment to the NATO alliance, strengthening transatlantic partnerships and addressing global challenges. In Paris, Secretary Blinken will meet with French President (Emmanuel) Macro to discuss support for Ukraine, efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, and a host of other important questions”, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The French president sparked controversy last month when he said Russia should not be allowed to win and that the possibility of the West sending ground troops to Ukraine should not be ruled out. The United States and Germany quickly rejected the suggestion for land troops.

One expert told the Voice of America that he believes President Macron was saying what is often said by the United States, that all options are possible, however, without implying that there are plans for sending troops to Ukraine.

We are in a difficult time as far as the war is concerned in Ukraine. This is creating new challenges and risks of escalation. The United States and France are more inclined to support Ukraine. I think meeting with President Macron will certainly be very important for this support”, says Ian Lesser, deputy chairman of the Brussels-based German Marshall Fund.

Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken will go to Europe next week, as anger is growing for the victims in Gaza as a result of Israel's fight against the Hamas group, which the United States has designated as a terrorist group. Another expert told the Voice of America that in Paris and Brussels, Mr. Blinken must ensure the commitment of allies to maintain support for Israel.

It will have to express strong support for Israel. I think President Biden has been clear about this, but at the same time, caution is required against some of the concerns Europeans have, especially about whether Israel is using excessive violence, or whether a long-term strategy is lacking, or whether Israel is violating human rights in Gaza”, says Michael Kimmage, professor of history at Catholic University of America.

Another topic of discussion for Mr. Blinken is likely to be the terrorist threat from the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for last week's attack on a concert hall in Moscow. The United States dismissed as propaganda the Russian officials' accusations that Ukraine was involved in the attack. / VOA/