Kyiv declares that the U.S. and Ukraine remain united to stop Russian aggression

Kyiv declares that the U.S. and Ukraine remain united to stop Russian aggression. 

WASHINGTON – The United States and Ukraine remain united in trying to defuse a standoff between Moscow and Moscow through diplomacy. 

They are working closely together to deter Russian aggression. This was Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

Kuleba spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A day after, the United States asked Russia to withdraw an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders at talks in Geneva.

Russia held live-fire exercises near Ukraine on Tuesday. This cast doubt on Russia’s willingness to ease tensions while talks continue.

MORE: Russia will set new security demands at the NATO meeting.

On Wednesday, NATO members will meet Russian officials in Brussels. On Thursday, further talks are also planned at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna (OSCE).

“Despite the diplomatic contacts with Russia this week, Ukraine and the U.S. are united in their efforts to de-escalate the situation through diplomacy as well as strength.” Kuleba tweeted. 

They continue to work closely together to prevent further Russian aggression.

Ned Price, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that Blinken had assured Kuleba no substantive discussions on Ukraine would occur without Ukraine.

Price stated in a statement that “He reiterated the fact that if Russia chooses to continue the conflict, the United States and its Allies and Partners are prepared to impose huge costs on Russia’s economic, to strengthen NATO’s presence among frontline Allied countries, and to increase defense assistance to Ukraine.”