U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a number of statements at a press conference on the signing of an updated charter on the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"The updated charter on the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership, which the foreign minister and I signed today, reaffirms the unwavering commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Blinken said at the news conference.
According to him, the document highlights key areas of cooperation, in particular the security and economic transformation of Ukraine.
The U.S. administration is working to pressure Russia to extend the agreement on Russian gas transit through Ukraine, Anthony Blinken said.
"We're working with allies and partners to use leverage and get an extension of the agreement to transit Russian gas through Ukraine," he said at a joint news conference in Washington with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
Talking about high energy prices in Europe, Blinken said that "Russia may and must increase its gas supplies".
Answering the question about "Nord Stream 2" he said that US and Germany had agreed to act if the pipeline was used for political purposes.
Secretary of State also said that Washington would not give up pressure on Belarusian authorities until they comply with their international obligations.
"As long as the regime refuses to honor its international commitments, as long as it undermines peace and security in Europe through its actions and as long as it continues to repress people who want to live free, we will continue to put pressure on Lukashenko and the regime," Blinken said.
If Russia tries to use energy as a weapon or takes further aggression against Ukraine, the U.S. and Germany will take action.
"If Russia tries to use energy as a weapon or takes further aggressive action against Ukraine, we and Germany are committed to taking appropriate action," Blinken said.
He recalled that there is a very important joint statement from the U.S. and Germany that deals with Nord Stream 2, energy security and the efforts they are making to strengthen Ukraine's position.
"We are committed to the implementation of this agreement. Chancellor Merkel has said publicly that Germany will do everything possible to make it clear that Nord Stream 2 is not a replacement for promised transit supplies through Ukraine," Blinken noted.
The U.S. is concerned about reports of unusual Russian military activity near Ukraine and is closely monitoring the situation, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.
"We are concerned about reports of unusual Russian military action near Ukraine, and we are monitoring what is happening very closely, as we always do. We will also continue to consult closely with our allies and partners on this issue. And as we have made clear, any escalation of aggressive actions would be of serious concern to the United States," Blinken stressed.
He added that the United States will continue to support de-escalation in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
"As President Biden made clear during President Zelensky's visit in September, and as I emphasized while standing next to President Zelensky in Ukraine in May, and as the president and I reiterated again when we met with President Zelensky at COP26, the U.S. commitment to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine is undeniable. That position will not change, we support Ukraine," summarized the U.S. Secretary of State.
"We have no clarity about Moscow's intentions. But we know its game plan. And our concern is that Russia could make a serious mistake by trying to repeat what it did in 2014 - by amassing forces along the border, they crossed into sovereign Ukrainian territory and did so by falsely claiming they were provoked," Blinken said.
The U.S. will provide new funding to help Ukraine diversify its energy resources.
"We are also discussing ways to secure Ukraine's energy supply, which includes providing new funding to help Ukraine diversify its energy resources, working with key allies and partners to bring all possible leverage and pressure to extend Ukraine's gas transit agreement with Russia and supporting Ukraine's efforts to connect its electricity grid to Europe," Blinken said at a news conference following a meeting of the Ukrainian Strategic Partnership Commission.
