Russia’s War In Ukraine Has Been 'Strategic Failure', Blinken Says

Washington D.C./02.06.23/Turan:    Russia’s war in Ukraine has been a strategic failure that has diminished its interests and influence "in every continent" for years to come, and it's a "case study in failure", top U.S. diplomat said on Friday, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports,

Speaking in Finland, which after Russia's invasion of Ukraine shed its historic prudence and joined NATO, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that there is "no question” Russia is significantly worse off today than it was before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine – militarily, economically, and geopolitically.

Reiterating Washington's support for Ukraine and its commitment to just and lasting peace, Blinken said Vladimir Putin has only strengthened large-scale international resolve.

Blinken mocked critics who said that peace meant to stop supporting Ukraine. He instead vowed to keep building a military of the future for Ukraine.

"Putin spent the winter tring to freeze Ukrainian civilians to death, and then the spring trying to bomb them to death," he reminded.

"... Precisely because we have no illusions about Putin's aspirations, we believe the prerequisite for meaningful diplomacy and real peace is a stronger Ukraine -- capable of deterring and defending against any future aggression," Blinken added.

"Investing in Ukraine's strength is not at the expense of diplomacy -- it paves the way for it," he said.

In the meantime, Washington "welcomes" any initiative that helps bring Putin to the table to engage in meaningful diplomacy, but only if it ensures Ukraine's territorial integrity, Blinken added.

"We will support efforts -- whether by Brazil, by China or any other nation -- if they help find a way to a just and lasting peace, consistent with the principles in the UN Charter," he said.

Alex Raufoglu