Blinken calls on all countries to unite around Ukraine

According to Antony Blinken, the U.S. state secretary, it is impossible to talk about Russia’s future plans. Countries all over the world should be united now to help Ukraine. He made this statement during the press briefing at Kazakhstan’s MFA in Astana.

Blinken also noted that the international community is very concerned about Russian aggression against Ukraine.

«It’s aggression not only against Ukraine, but the very principles of the U.N. charter including territorial integrity, independence, sovereignty, principles that matter deeply to countries in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. In response to what Russia did, countries around the world, including the United States, have supported Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression,» Blinken said.

The secretary also highlighted that there are other countries that may want to follow the bad example Russia has set and unleash aggression against independent countries.

«We have to stop it. That is why it is important for so many countries to stand up and say no [to Russia]. We don’t accept this. I can’t speak of any specific ideas or plans Russia may have anywhere else. I think it focuses very much on Ukraine now,» he added.

The U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken has arrived in Astana with his first official visit to Kazakhstan. He has participated in a meeting with foreign ministers from the five Central Asian countries (C5+1).

The meeting participants are negotiating the further development of regional cooperation and partnership with the U.S.

С5+1 is a special format of interaction between five Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the United States. The format was established in 2015 as a platform for discussions of regional issues related to the economy, ecology and security.