TITLE: Blinken outlines strategy on Ukraine
SLUG: US and allies ready to respond.
AUTHOR: CELIA MENDOZA
SCRIPT EDITOR: Luis Alonso
LOCATION: NY
REGION OF INTEREST: U.S.A. – WORLD
DURATION:1:50
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA
AP: 4361957- 4361944- 4361935- 4361924- 4361909- 4361815-4361993
Intro: U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken boosts his diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border. The diplomat traveled to Kiev and met with Ukrainian leaders. Voice of America spoke with him and Celia Mendoza has the details for us.
SCRIPT
((NATSS-))
With the threat of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine before the mobilization of more than 100,000 troops to the border, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began his visit to Kiev and spoke to Voice of America following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
((Antony Blinken- U.S. Secretary of State – 00:18:00:36))
“We offered Russia a clear choice between pursuing dialogue and diplomacy on the one hand or confrontation and consequences on the other. We just engaged in an intense series of diplomatic meetings between us directly with Russia, through the Strategic Stability Dialogue and NATO, with the NATO Russia Council.”
“We offered Russia a clear choice a choice between pursuing dialogue and diplomacy in one hand or confrontation and consequences in the other hand. We just been engaged in instensive series of diplomatic engagements with Russia directly between us thru the strategic stability dialogue and NATO, with the NATO Russia council.”
However, from Moscow the idea of a diplomatic solution is linked to the fulfillment of its demands, which include Ukraine and other neighboring countries not joining NATO.
((Sergei Ryabkov-Vice Chancellor of Russia-00:47-01:01))
“Increasingly, we see the threat from Ukraine’s likely membership in NATO, without even acquiring a formal status as a member state of the alliance. This is something that goes directly against Russia’s national security interests.”
“We see the threat of Ukraine becoming ever more integrated in NATO without even acquiring a formal status of a NATO member state. This is something that goes right to the center of Russia’s national security interests.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there is no risk of a war starting and ruled out a possible invasion. Yet the United States and its European allies are ready to respond, according to Blinken.
((Antony Blinken- U.S. Secretary of State- 01:16:01:25))
“First we have been working intensively on developing comprehensive sanctions, financial, economic, export control and others. The second consequence would almost certainly be more defensive military assistance to Ukraine. And the third, NATO will almost certainly have to strengthen its own defenses on its eastern flank.”
“First we have been working intently on elaborating extensive sanctions, financial, economic, export control and others. Second consequences would almost certainly will be further assistance, defensive military assistance to Ukraine and third is almost certain that NATO will have to reenforce its own defenses on its eastern flank.”
((Celia Mendoza- New York- 01:36:01:50))
“Blinken will meet this Friday in Geneva with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, thus giving continuity to the talks between the two countries around the situation in Ukraine. Celia Mendoza. Voice of America. New York.”
