Blinken Sticks By Ukraine In U.S.-Russia Call As Putin Prepares To Address The Press

Topline

Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the United States’ commitment to Ukraine and pushed Russia to move thousands of troops away from the Ukrainian border in a Tuesday phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to a U.S. readout, shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to publicly address the tensions in Ukraine.

Key Facts

Blinken “urged Russia to pursue a diplomatic path,” and stood by Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of all countries to determine their own foreign policy and alliances,” referencing the country’s right to enter NATO, according to the State Department.

The conversation came as the two countries remain far apart on Russia’s demand to block Ukraine from entering NATO — the United States responded to a list of Russian security demands last week, and it now awaits Russia’s reaction.

Putin will speak Tuesday at a press conference following a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Moscow, and is expected to talk about Russia’s military actions at the Ukraine border and the West’s reaction for the first time since December.

Key Background

In recent months, Russia has positioned more than 125,000 troops near Ukraine’s border, prompting fears Putin could order an invasion of the former Soviet state in an effort to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s orbit. Putin last publicly addressed Russia’s intentions in Ukraine December 23, telling reporters Russia doesn’t “want any military action” while blaming NATO for provoking Russia into any military aggression. President Joe Biden said last week there is a “distinct possibility” that Russia could invade Ukraine in February. The U.S. and its allies have pursued a diplomatic resolution with Russia, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called Russia’s military buildup at the Ukraine border “urgent and dangerous” at a United Nations Security Council meeting convened Monday. On Monday, both the U.S. and the U.K. unveiled plans to levy financial sanctions against Russian elites closely connected to Putin if Russia invades Ukraine. 

Contra

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently downplayed the risk of a Russian attack and urged Western leaders not to stir panic. His actions say otherwise: Zelensky announced a plan Tuesday to add 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s military over the next three years, though he said it was “not because we will soon have a war.”

Tangent

During Putin’s meeting with Orbán, Hungary’s right-wing prime minister since 2010 deemed to be an autocrat by many, the two leaders sat at opposite ends of a massive table. The Guardian speculated the extreme social distance between the two could be because Orbán did not quarantine before seeing Putin, typically a requirement for most Russian officials.

Further Reading

White House Confirms Plan To Impose Sanctions Against Kremlin’s ‘Inner Circle’ (Forbes)

Russia Sanctions Bill At ‘1-Yard Line,’ Says Key Senator (Forbes)

Here’s What To Know About The Russia Talks So Far—And What To Watch For Next (Forbes)

Putin Wouldn’t Be Hurt By Personal Sanctions Suggested By Biden, Russia Says (Forbes)

Biden Says ‘No Intention’ To Deploy U.S. Troops In Ukraine– Here’s What The U.S. Is Prepared To Do Instead (Forbes)