US Secretary of State: "Russia Created Pretext for Ukraine Invasion... Proposes Talks Next Week to Resolve Diplomatically"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "I have come today not to start a war, but to prevent a war."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, attending the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the 17th (local time), stated that Russia is creating a pretext to invade Ukraine and said, "The only responsible way to resolve this crisis is through diplomacy." He urged Russia to immediately withdraw its troops and send diplomats to the negotiating table if it truly has no intention of starting a war, and also proposed a foreign ministers' meeting next week.

According to the U.S. State Department, Secretary Blinken said at the UN Security Council meeting held in New York that "The primary responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain peace and security, and the most immediate threat now is the imminent invasion of Ukraine by Russia."

Blinken pointed out, "Russia claims to have withdrawn some troops, but we have yet to see that," adding, "It is clearly confirmed that Russian forces, including ground troops, aircraft, and ships, are preparing to launch an invasion of Ukraine." He argued that this threatens not only the lives and security of millions in Ukraine but also the foundation of the UN Charter and the international order.

In particular, Blinken warned specifically that Russia is fabricating pretexts for invading Ukraine, including staged terrorist bombings, planned drone attacks on civilians, and fake chemical weapon attacks. He criticized recent Russian media for spreading such false information and false alarms, saying, "They have laid the groundwork to justify war."

He also predicted that following fabricated provocations, Russia would falsely convene a high-level emergency meeting and declare a decree to respond to protect Russians within Ukraine. An attack is expected to follow. Blinken said, "Russian missiles and bombs will fall across Ukraine, communications will be cut off, and cyberattacks will block key Ukrainian institutions," adding, "Then Russian tanks and soldiers will advance toward key targets, including Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine with a population of 2.8 million."

Blinken's speech that day drew attention for detailing the possible future invasion moves by Russia. He said, "We have warned about everything that may come to Ukraine," and added, "By sharing what we know with the world here today, we hope to influence Russia to abandon war and choose another path."

Blinken emphasized, "I have come today not to start a war, but to prevent a war," and warned, "Russia has mocked our warnings as melodrama and nonsense, but remember that they have steadily amassed over 150,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and are capable of launching a large-scale military attack."

He repeatedly called for a diplomatic solution. Blinken said, "The only responsible way to resolve this crisis is diplomacy," and stated that if Russia is ready to fulfill its commitments, a high-level meeting in the Normandy format can be convened. He confirmed that he sent a letter proposing a meeting next week in Europe to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He also proposed meetings of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council.

He did not forget to reiterate warnings. Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. stance on sanctions against Russia, saying, "As President Joe Biden said, this will be a war of choice," and "If Russia chooses (to invade), the U.S. will respond swiftly and decisively with allies and partners."

He urged, "The Russian government can today clearly and unambiguously announce to the world that Russia will not invade Ukraine, without ambiguity or bias," and added, "Then withdraw troops and send diplomats to the negotiating table to prove it."

Blinken was originally scheduled to visit Germany from the 17th to the 20th to attend the Munich Security Conference, but his schedule was changed at the last minute as he rushed to New York for the UN Security Council speech. On the same day, President Joe Biden also responded to reporters' questions about the level of threat of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying it is "very high" and that Russia could attack Ukraine within days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.