NATO allies share an "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine's sovereignty. This was assured by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hours before the start of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Reuters reports.
Speaking at the beginning of talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken reiterated Washington's concerns about the build-up of Russian troops at the border, which has provoked threats of new Western sanctions against Moscow.
Kuleba wrote on Twitter that Ukraine, which is not a NATO member but seeks closer ties with the Alliance, is working with Western countries on a "comprehensive deterrence package including heavy economic sanctions" to stop Russian aggression.
"The unwavering commitment of the United States to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine ... this is a view that is supported not only by the United States but also by all our NATO allies," Blinken told Kuleba during their talks.
"This was very, very clear in the conversations we have had over the last few days," he added.
In a conversation with Lavrov on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) summit in Stockholm, the top US diplomat is expected to personally convey the threat of additional sanctions if Moscow does not stop gathering troops. on the border with Ukraine.
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