putin’s strategy in Ukraine has not and will not work — US Secretary of State

The scheme of actions of the president of the russian federation, vladimir putin, is clear: he wants to freeze and exhaust Ukrainians, turning energy and food into weapons, not only in Europe but also throughout the world. But his strategy has not worked and will not work.

This was stated by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at a press conference in Bucharest following the two-day meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of foreign ministers, Ukrinform reports.

"We met at a critical moment when Ukraine continued to hold the initiative on the battlefield, and president putin turned his attention and directed his fire against the civilian population of Ukraine. Over the past weeks, russia has bombed more than a third of Ukraine's energy system, condemning millions of people to cold and darkness because of the temperature drop. Heat, water, electricity for children, the elderly, the sick — these are the new goals of president putin, and he is dealing with them with brutal blows. … This is barbarism," the American government official emphasized.

According to him, given the situation, the US and its allies are aware of the challenges ahead. putin's plan is clear: he wants to freeze and exhaust Ukrainians, force them to leave their homes, turn energy and food into weapons, not only in Europe but throughout the world, and try to split the coalition that resists these plans.

"President putin thinks if he can raise the price high enough, the world can leave Ukraine to defend itself alone. But his strategy has not worked and will not work. We will prove it, and I have heard that position, loud and clear, from every country here , in Bucharest. Yes, standing by Ukraine means accepting a heavy price, especially for our European allies. But the price of inaction would be much higher," Blinken emphasized.

According to him, if we do not fight against russian aggression, accept the kremlin's attempts to move the borders by force, do not oppose attempts to terrorize the civilian population, the danger will become greater for everyone, and not only in Europe — in the whole world.

"So the main message from our meeting in Bucharest is this: our collective determination to support Ukraine is unwavering and will remain so now, this winter, and for as long as it takes for Ukraine to succeed," the US Secretary of State emphasized.

Reference

A meeting of NATO foreign ministers took place in Bucharest on November 29-30. It focused on continuing assistance to Ukraine in the fight against russian aggression and discussed strengthening the Alliance's defense capabilities to protect allies effectively.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, took part in the meeting of government officials of NATO countries and informed about Ukraine's priority needs.