14:56 GMT 14:56
Blinken: We are not looking for a conflict with Russia, but we are ready for it
Anthony Blinken, United States state Secretarytook a firm stand on the war today when he arrived for a meeting of NATOthe country’s foreign ministers Brusselscondemning what he described as Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
Reuters (@Reuters)
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s attack on civilians in Ukraine last night, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters that the alliance would “protect every inch of NATO territory”. pic.twitter.com/2g7F46UMLZ
“Our union is a defense union. We are not looking for conflict. But if there is a conflict, we are ready for it and we will protect every inch of NATO territory, “Blinken said.
However, the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg threatened their position a little this morning, rejecting Ukraine’s request for no-fly zones.
“We are not part of this conflict and we have a responsibility to ensure that it does not escalate and spread beyond Ukraine,” Stoltenberg told reporters.
“We understand despair, but we also believe that if we do that (no-fly zone), we will end up with something that could lead to a full-fledged war in Europe involving many more countries and much more suffering,” Stoltenberg said. .
14:38 GMT 14:38
Politico looked at the cracked opposition against the United States, which agrees to help in the no-fly zone Ukraine.
Right now, Joe Biden is in a difficult position to remain true to its promise to defend NATO territories without escalating into further war with Russiawhile at the same time receiving increasing pressure to intervene in a way that will not lead to boots on the ground.
Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand)
In the press today from Kyiv Zelensky repeated the call to NATO for a no-fly zone: “How long do you need? How many arms and legs and heads do you have to cut off to find out? … If you don’t have the strength to secure a no-fly zone, then give me planes. Wouldn’t that be fair? “
In Friday. NATO the allies rejected Ukraine’s request for no-fly zones.
“We understand despair, but we also believe that doing so (a no-fly zone) will lead to something that could lead to a full-fledged war in Europe involving many more countries and much more suffering,” the NATO secretary said. common Jens Stoltenberg said.
But in Washington, republican congressman Adam Kinzinger insists on a no-fly zone. Politico reports that the Republican senator Roger Wicker is also supportive as well democratically politicians like it Evelyn Farkassenior official for ukraine in Obama The Pentagon.
Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger)
This is a good time to renew my call for a no-fly zone at the invitation of the Ukrainian government. I am afraid that if this continues, we will have to intervene more widely
14:08 GMT 14:08
Against the background of growing tension and constant bloodshed Ukraineconservative fire brand Lindsay Graham calls for the murder of Vladimir Putin.
IN republican a South Carolina senator made his remarks first on Fox News with Sean Hannity – who proposed Putin’s assassination before – before repeating his mood on Twitter.
Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC)
Is there Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian army?
The only way to do this is for someone in Russia to take this person out.
You will do a great service to your country – and the world.
Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC)
The only people who can fix this are the Russian people.
Easy to say, hard to do.
Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in extreme poverty, and live in darkness, you must move on to the plate.
Graham’s remarks were met with horror on both sides of the aisle, with a progressive congresswoman Ilhan Omar tweeting“Seriously, wtf?”
Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN)
I really want our members of Congress to cool it down and adjust their remarks while the administration works to avoid WWlll. As the world pays attention to how the United States and its leaders react, Lindsay’s remarks and remarks made by some members of the House are not helpful.
Ted Cruzthe Republican senator from Texas also responded, calling Graham’s remarks “an extremely bad idea.”
Ted Cruz (@tedcruz)
This is an extremely bad idea.
Use massive economic sanctions; BOYCOTT Russian oil and gas; and provide military assistance so that Ukrainians can defend themselves.
But we should not call for the assassination of heads of state. https://t.co/crPGHw9xyJ
Even an extreme right-wing extremist congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenwhich won its place by expressing support for conspiracy theory QAnoncalled Graham’s statements “irresponsible, dangerous and reckless.”
“We need leaders with a calm mind and solid wisdom,” she said tweets. “Not bloodthirsty, war-mongering politicians who try to tweet hard demanding murder. The Americans don’t want a war. “
Updated at 14:48 GMT
13:58 GMT 13:58
Blinken: We are not looking for a conflict with Russia, but we are ready for it
Regards, readers of live blogs. Happy Friday.
We will usually have all our updates live for Russian invasion of Ukraine here, so be sure to keep an eye on it.
But on our part, Anthony Blinken, United States state Secretarytook a firm stand on the war today when he arrived for a meeting of NATOthe country’s foreign ministers Brusselscondemning what he described as Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
Reuters (@Reuters)
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s attack on civilians in Ukraine last night, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters that the alliance would “protect every inch of NATO territory”. pic.twitter.com/2g7F46UMLZ
“Our union is a defense union. We are not looking for conflict. But if there is a conflict, we are ready for it and we will protect every inch of NATO territory, “Blinken said.
Meanwhile in WashingtonThe Washington Post reports that unprecedented documentaries show Roger Stonelongtime ally of Donald Trumpworks to repeal the results of the 2020 presidential election and secure a pardon after Attack on January 6 on US Capitol.
We will have more about that in a moment. Stay on the line.