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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP
After a meeting with his counterparts from the European Union, Anthony Blinken addressed Russia with harsh words.
"Russia has never been so isolated, we have never been so united," Blinken said Friday in reference to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“Dozens of millions of Russians will suffer under the dangerous decisions of a small circle of corrupt leaders and cronies.
If the Kremlin does not change course, it will continue on the path of increasing isolation and economic pain,” he said at the press conference after the meeting in Brussels.
"Nothing is off the table"
Blinken also did not rule out further sanctions against Russia's political leadership: "We will continue to increase the costs for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and everyone who carries out and enables the war he has chosen and the devastation he has caused," he said in front of reporters.
With regard to further measures, nothing is ruled out by the USA: "Nothing is off the table, we evaluate the sanctions every day".
At the same time, Blinken spoke out against energy-related sanctions against Russia.
These would reduce global supply and push up US energy prices, which in turn would boost Russian profits, the US Secretary of State said.
Blinken accuses the Russian military of “brutal methods”.
Blinken also spoke out clearly in relation to Russia's warfare in Ukraine, especially in relation to the attacks against the civilian population.
Russian forces "are using increasingly brutal methods, including attacks on civilians," the US Secretary of State said.
Russia continues to deny attacking civilian targets.
Blinken also defended NATO's decision against introducing a no-fly zone in Ukraine.
This would lead to a war of enormous proportions across Europe.
"We have a responsibility to ensure that the war does not escalate beyond Ukraine," he said.
col/Reuters