The “firm” reaction to the Russian invasion «kleinezeitung.at

US President Biden assures his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky of his support in the conflict with Russia.

07.10, 03. January 2022

US President Joe Biden for him Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Selinsky He confirmed his support in the conflict with Russia. On Sunday, after a phone call between the two presidents, the White House said in Washington that Biden made it clear that the United States and its allies “will respond firmly if Russia continues to invade Ukraine.” Biden and Zelensky also support diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Russia.

Next week – on January 9 and 10 – hmm US talks with Russia planned in Geneva. After that, a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council is scheduled – the first in two and a half years. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will also hold talks after that.

“Joint action to maintain peace”

With Biden got “Joint actions of Ukraine, the United States of America and partners to maintain peace in Europe” On the SMS Twitter, Silinsky discussed calming steps. Zelensky had only said in his New Year’s address that he not only wanted to return Crimea in the Black Sea, annexed by Russia in 2014, to Ukraine. He said the parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian separatists should return.

The United States has accused Russia of building forces in areas on the border with Ukraine for weeks. He feared that Russian forces could invade the former Soviet Republic. Russia denies such invasion plans and in turn accuses Ukraine of deploying additional soldiers to the region.

According to the White House, Biden emphasized this The United States will be committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine, the US government has threatened severe economic sanctions that will be coordinated with its allies in Europe. In addition, in such a situation, NATO’s presence in its eastern member states will be expanded. The United States will also provide Ukraine with additional assistance, including the armed forces.

Reduce the peace plan

Biden, who spoke to Putin by phone on Thursday, also confirmed it in a conversation with Zelensky The Minsk Peace Plan applies to conflict resolution in eastern Ukraine. He also endorsed the so-called Normandy formula, as announced by the White House. Russia has repeatedly criticized Ukraine for repeatedly violating agreements reached through international mediation.

In the Normandy format group of four, France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine are trying The conflict that lasted nearly eight years To replace. According to United Nations estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed in Donbass since 2014 in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.