If conflict comes, we’re ready for it: U.S. Secretary of State on Russia

NATO is set to defend “every inch” of its territory and its allies, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a meeting with the alliance’s foreign ministers in Brussels on Friday, Blinken further reprimanded Russia’s attacks on civilian lives in Ukraine.

“Ours is a defensive alliance. We seek no conflict. But if conflict comes to us we are ready for it and we will defend every inch of NATO territory,” he told reporters on Friday. 

“And overnight, we’ve also seen reports about the attack against a nuclear power plant. This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it and the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and engaging in good faith in diplomatic efforts,” he added. 

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Blinkin travelled to eastern Europe on Thursday to conduct meetings with European leaders and allies of NATO. 

In a press release delivered earlier this week, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that Blinkin will first travel to Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO Foreign Ministerial. The Secretary of State will then meet his European Union counterparts for the G-7 Ministerial Meeting. The meetings aim to help leaders arrive at a diplomatic solution for the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

“If there are diplomatic steps that we can take that the Ukrainian government believes would be helpful, we’re prepared to take them — even as we continue to support Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” Blinkin said on Wednesday. 

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On Saturday, the US Secretary of State will travel to Poland to meet with Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and other Polish leaders to “discuss further security assistance in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.”

Price further added that Blinkin will also express gratitude to Poland for welcoming displaced Ukrainian refugees. 

On Saturday, Blinken is scheduled to visit the country of Moldova for a meeting with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in order to discuss the country’s efforts to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees.