NADI, Fiji (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated he’ll communicate to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, including that Washington and its allies would swiftly impose extreme financial sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine.
Blinken, talking from Fiji the place he attended a gathering with Pacific leaders, stated if Russia was genuinely concerned with resolving the Ukraine disaster by way of diplomacy, Washington was prepared to play its half.
But America was additionally prepared in case Moscow chooses the trail of aggression, he stated.
“If President Putin decides to take navy motion, we are going to swiftly impose extreme financial sanctions in coordination with allies and companions across the globe,” Blinken informed a information convention. “We will bolster Ukraine’s means to defend itself, we are going to reinforce our allies on jap flank of NATO.”
Blinken informed reporters he would ask Lavrov about Russia’s response to U.S. proposals to resolve the disaster.
“So far, we’ve solely seen escalation from Moscow. This is a pivotal second: we’re prepared for no matter ought to occur.”
Asked a few report the United States would evacuate its embassy in Kyiv given warnings of an imminent invasion by Russia, Blinken stated he would have extra to say in regards to the embassy within the coming hours.
(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Lincoln Feast.)
