US Secretary of State Blinken opposed the idea that sanctions against Russia should be implemented immediately because of the Ukraine crisis and said that this would remove the deterrent power of Western countries against Moscow.
Blinken made this disclosure to CNN television.
The American Secretary of State said that the purpose of the sanctions was to prevent Russia’s attack and said, “If the sanctions are implemented now, you will lose the deterrent effect.”
Blinken stressed that if a single Russian soldier enters Ukraine to attack, it will trigger an important response.
Blinken met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday.
Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. Western countries are worried that this is a preparation to invade Ukraine.
Western countries threaten Russia with harsh economic sanctions if this happens. Moscow, on the other hand, constantly states that it does not intend to invade Ukraine.
Blinken said in a statement to NBC television that he had no doubt that Germany also shared America’s suspicions about Russia.
In the meantime, there are statements from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the subject.
Scholz urged Moscow to think carefully to Europe and America regarding possible sanctions due to Ukraine.
“While vigilance requires that the measures chosen be the most effective on those who violate common principles, we also need to evaluate the consequences for us,” Olaf Scholz told the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Scholz also opposed the impression that America and Europe could not agree on joint sanctions and said, “We will agree on possible measures within the alliance circle. This is nice. We must be able to act in an emergency.”
Scholz also rejected Russia’s request for a guarantee that Ukraine will not become a NATO member, saying that such a guarantee could not be given.
However, the German Chancellor noted that there is no new NATO membership in eastern Europe at the moment.
On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is going to Moscow. Russia stated that the visit request is being considered.
It is stated that Truss wanted to go to Moscow in February to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Ukraine.