Anthony Blinken. Photo: from open sources
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine could allow Russia to regroup its forces for a new offensive. He stressed the need to provide Ukraine with resources to deter future aggression. He said this in an interview with The New York Times.
“It is unlikely that Putin will give up his ambitions. If there is a ceasefire, he believes it will most likely allow Russia to rest, rearm and attack again. So it is important to make sure that Ukraine has the capacity to deter further aggression,” Blinken said.
Options for security guarantees
The head of the State Department believes that security guarantees for Ukraine can take several forms:
- The path to NATO membership, which will be a powerful deterrent to Russia.
- Commitments and guarantees from individual countries that will send a clear message to Moscow about the serious consequences in the event of a repeat attack.
“Russia must understand that any new aggression will bring it big problems,” he stressed.
Frontline and territorial claims
Blinken also expressed the opinion that the front line in Ukraine is unlikely to change significantly as a result of the war.
“I don’t think the map will change dramatically. But Ukraine will always retain claims to its territories. The question is whether it will be able to return these lands with the support of its partners,” he added.
The Secretary of State stressed that the United States will continue to help Ukraine to ensure its ability to defend itself and strengthen its position for a lasting peace.
