"From day one, President Biden had two ‘North Stars’ in mind. One was to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to support Ukraine and to bring other countries along to the same thing. But the other is also to avoid being in direct conflict with Russia, because the potential where that conflict could go is not a place that anyone wants to be and not a place that’s good for the security of the American people," Blinken said during the conversation.
The top US diplomat reiterated that it was up to the Kyiv government to decide on its combat operations, but, in his words, Washington has never encouraged strikes beyond Ukraine’s borders, TASS reported.
In his opinion, the best way to stop hostilities would be to strengthen Kyiv’s positions.
Russia has repeatedly expressed its stance regarding the conflict in Ukraine at various levels. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow has always been and remains open to a diplomatic solution to the crisis and is ready to respond to truly serious proposals, while the Kyiv regime cut and prohibited all negotiations with Russia.
Blinken remarks come while media outlets reported, citing an unnamed US official, reported on Tuesday that Joe Biden's administration will announce a new aid package for Ukraine this week.
Russia has repeatedly said that the generous military aid extended to Ukraine by the US and its Western allies only prolongs the war and adds to the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Moscow has also asserted that by helping out Ukraine against Russia, the West is waging a “proxy war” against Russian forces.
Speaking last month, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said through their support for Ukraine, Western countries were directly fighting against Moscow.
MP/PR