Blinken’s Russia statement: Our stance hasn’t changed
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Russia’s request that Ukraine not be included in NATO. Blinken reminded nato’s ‘Open Door Policy’ that their commitment and stance on this issue has not changed.
US Secretary of State Blinken answered questions from reporters about Ukraine’s NATO integration and Russia’sposition on the issue.
Recalling NATO’s ‘Open Door Policy’, Blinken said, “We have said it publicly for weeks and years in a sense: we will support and commit to NATO’s Open Door Policy.” Blinken added that their stance on the issue has not changed. STOLTENBERG: WRITTEN RESPONSE TO RUSSIA’S OFFER
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia’s offer of an agreement was responded to in writing.
“I touched on the main issues in our NATO written response to Russia today. Now we are once again reaching out to Russia to pursue a path of dialogue and find a political solution. This is why we sent them the written proposals of 30 NATO Allies tonight covering a wide range of issues.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Blinken said they did not favour Russia’s proposal for a security guarantees agreement, adding that “our response was fully coordinated with Ukraine and our European allies and partners, whom we have been consulting with for weeks.”
CHINA’S FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH U.S. FOREIGN MINISTER
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Yi urged the parties to be discreet and remain calm on Ukraine. China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement:
“Minister Wang Yi said it is still necessary to return to the Minsk Agreement to resolve the Ukraine issue.
The Minsk Agreement, approved by the Security Council, is a fundamental political document recognized by all parties and must be implemented effectively. China will support all efforts in accordance with the direction and spirit of this agreement. At the same time, we call on all parties to remain calm, to avoid things that will increase tensions and magnify the crisis. Wang Yi stressed that a country’s security cannot be ignored at the expense of the security of other countries, and regional security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening or even expanding military blocs.”
