U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that achieving peace in Ukraine should be based on a forceful approach. He emphasized the need to start with a ceasefire agreement that would provide a powerful mechanism to deter Russian aggression, as well as further resolve the issue of the occupied territories.
Blinken said this in an interview for The New Yorker Radio Hoursummarizing the results of his work as head of the US State Department.
“So, this (reaching an agreement - ed.) should be done from a position of strength, but there is also something critical,” the Secretary of State emphasized.
He clarified that any solution must provide for a lasting and reliable ceasefire that will not allow Russia to use the pause to prepare a new attack.
“This means that there must be a credible deterrent, because Putin will use any ceasefire to rest, rearm, and then ultimately attack again,” Blinken explained.
Regarding the future of the occupied territories, the Secretary of State noted that their status is likely to remain uncertain for a long time.
At the same time, he expressed confidence in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ability to find a solution that meets the will and beliefs of the Ukrainian people.
Author: Danylo Pievchev