Washington Continues to Pressure Russia to Stand Down

While Russia refuses to heed free world warnings about its massive mobilization of troops and armor on Ukraine’s border thereby threatening a wider war, Washington continues to pressure Moscow to cease and desist.

Following is a readout of President Biden’s telephone call today with Russia’s Putin:

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They discussed a number of regional and global issues, including the intent of the United States and Russia to pursue a strategic stability dialogue on a range of arms control and emerging security issues, building on the extension of the New START Treaty. President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia’s actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference. President Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions. President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with U.S. interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke today with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels and reassured Kyiv that the United States stands firmly behind the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The following is a State Department transcript of their remarks to the press:

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  I am very, very glad for this chance to meet with Foreign Minister Kuleba.  We’ve – this is our first opportunity to meet in person.  We’ve spoken on the phone on several occasions.  In fact, President Biden has spoken with President Zelenskyy as well.  And I just wanted to reiterate what I’ve said to the foreign minister, and even more importantly, President Biden said to President Zelenskyy, which is the United States stands firmly behind the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.  And I’m here to reaffirm that with the foreign minister today.

And that’s particularly important at a time when we’re seeing unfortunately Russia take very provocative action when it comes to Ukraine.  We’re now seeing the largest concentration of Russian forces on Ukraine’s border since 2014, and that is of deep concern not only to Ukraine, but to the United States, and indeed to many of our allies and partners.  The foreign minister just came from a session with NATO and I’ll be consulting with our close NATO allies and partners in the days ahead about the situation.

We’ll also have an opportunity to discuss Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the very important work that Ukraine is doing to strengthen its democratic institutions, to advance the rule of law, to make key economic reforms, all of which are critical to NATO’s – to the Ukraine’s future, and to its integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

In short, we have a lot to talk about.  (Inaudible) I’m grateful to have you here today to see you, and look forward to our conversation.

FOREIGN MINISTER KULEBA:  Yeah, thank you, sir.  It’s a big pleasure to have this opportunity to meet you in person after we have met on the phone twice.  We had two very fruitful conversations.  This meeting is extremely timely given what is happening along the Ukrainian border with Russia and the occupied territories of Crimea, of Ukraine.  And I would like to mention that Russian buildup is taking place not only along the border of Ukraine, but along the border of the democratic world.  For thousand of kilometers, to the north and to the east of our border with Russia, there is no democracy.  So this is the struggle that is taking place between democracies and authoritarianism.  And in this struggle, the support of the United States is absolutely crucial and deeply appreciated.

It is, I think, a good symbol that we are meeting here in Brussels on the margins of the NATO events and the meetings because it once again reinforces a very simple message that Euro-Atlantic countries, they stand by Ukraine in its difficult situation.  And Ukraine stands by the principles and values of the Euro-Atlantic community.  And I’m sure that what has been already said publicly and through diplomatic channels to Russia in response to its aggressive actions will be supported by actions that will make it very clear for Russia that the price of its (inaudible) aggression against Ukraine will be too heavy for it to bear.  And we will be discussing today how we can jointly ensure stability and prevent Russian and further aggression against Ukraine.  Thank you.

Russia’s escalation of its seven-year war against Ukraine has certainly caught the attention of the free world. However, as is its custom, Moscow disregards all threats, advice, agreements and treaties. It is pursuing its mission of re-subjugating Ukraine and the other former captive nations and rebuilding its imperial prison.

The free world should take note that Ukraine will commemorate its 30^th anniversary of independence on August 24 and it is quite possible that Moscow intends to destroy Ukraine ahead of the observance. A unified, global commemorative declaration of unrestrained support for Ukraine may stop Russia from making a catastrophic, fatal mistake.

Ukraine Caucus Reaffirms Support for Ukraine in Face of Increased Russian Aggression

Today, the Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), released the following statement as Russia amasses troops in and close to Ukraine and as violence intensifies:

 

“As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, we are deeply concerned with the amassing of Russian forces in and next to occupied regions of Ukraine,” the Members said in the joint statement. “Yet again, we strongly condemn Russia’s illegal war in and on Ukraine that has caused the deaths of over 14,000 innocents and continues to undermine transatlantic security.”

 

“We were proud to spearhead Congressional efforts to increase Ukraine’s defense security assistance from $250 to $275 million for FY21, as well as to place mandatory sanctions on Nord Stream 2 through legislation. We agree with the Administration that the Kremlin should face serious consequences if it escalates its aggression against Ukraine. We must continue to raise the cost on Russia’s ongoing aggression through increased sanctions and putting an end to Nord Stream 2. Defenders of liberty from around the entire world stand with our Ukrainian allies.”