2 year agoSecDef: I spoke today with Polish Defense Minister @mblaszczak about Russia's military buildup around Ukraine. Our continuing close security relationship with Poland is critical to deterrence along @NATO's Eastern Flank.
2 year agoOver two dozen Russian diplomats forced to leave embassy in Washington at request of State Department, ambassador says
2 year agoHead of office of President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak at press-conference says audit of Minsk agreements, Normandy Four agreements were made. Confirmed unconditional ceasefire. Confirmed different interpretation of Minsk agreement between Russia and Ukraine
Putin's deputy Kozak: next meeting of "Normandy Four" in 2 weeks in Berlin. Main issue - different interpretation of Minsk agreements, but all parties unconditionally agreed on ceasefire
Normandy Four meeting at advisors level ended in Paris after 8.5 hours
Sen. @ChrisMurphyCT says he is "skeptical" that conflict with Russia over Ukraine can be solved with diplomacy
2 year agoThe ruse of military "exercises" can be used to launch an attack, Sec Gen Stoltenberg recalls from the buildup ahead of the annexation of Crimea. Russia has said it wants more transparency with exercises. NATO says the alliance is ready anytime
.@NATO's @jensstoltenberg calls Russian deployment of combat-ready troops, S400 missile defense system and aircraft to Belarus is "significant". Also notes Russia has history of using exercises "as a pretext, a disguise for aggressive military actions"
"Tensions are increasing" because of Russia, per @NATO's @jensstoltenberg. "We see also more troops not only in and around Ukraine but also in Belarus. Highly capable, combat ready troops" & advanced systems, like the S400
Are we closer to war? "Tensions are increasing. Russia continues its military buildup. And we see also more troops, not only in and around Ukraine, but also now in Belarus, where Russia is in the process of deploying thousands of combat troops." - Stoltenberg
Its "no secret we are far apart," says @jensstoltenberg of NATO and Russia. He says that's why it's even more important to look at proposals and identify areas to work together
"This is about respecting nations and their right to choose their own path" per @NATO's @jensstoltenberg, says of Ukraine, Georgia and potential membership "That is a principle Russia has subscribed to many times"
To deploy the NATO Response Force, Stoltenberg says, "we need a decision" by the North Atlantic Council. "That decision will be made if necessary and we will deploy if necessary"
2 year ago"While we are working for a good solution," says NATO Sec Gen Stoltenberg, "we are also prepared for the worst." "We have plans in place we could execute on very short notice." Some of those plans date from Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014
"This is about respecting the right of self-determination" per @NATO's @jensstoltenberg, asked about Ukraine
NATO Secretary General: Russia must recognize the right of every country to define its military alliances
"We will take all necessary measures to protect and defend all allies" per @NATO SecGen @jensstoltenberg
.@NATO calls on Russia to withdraw forces from Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova where @SecGen @jensstoltenberg says they are deployed without consent
On European security, @jensstoltenberg says "we are prepared to listen to Russia's concerns & engage in a real conversation on how to uphold & strengthen the fundamental principlesthis including the right of each nation to choose its own security arrangements"
"We face a critical moment in Euro-Atlantic security," NATO Secretary General says, adding the alliance has conveyed its written responses to Russia "in parallel with the United States"
2 year agoMilitary convoy filmed in Rostov region
"It is not a formal negotiating document," @SecBlinken says of US response to Russia. He says @POTUS was intimately involved in drafting of it over recent days as were allies
On the prospect of sanctions against Putin, @SecBlinken says "As the president said, everything is on the table"
US has "absolute confidence in German solidarity" said @SecBlinken when asked about Berlin ruling out sending lethal weapons to Ukraine
Blinken: more deliveries [of weapons to Ukraine] expected in days to come
In response to a question from @APDiploWriter on the contents of the document sent to Russia, @SecBlinken replies: "It reiterates what we said publicly for many weeks and for many years" that we'll uphold @NATO principles and "the commitment that we're bound to"
Blinken says USG may not be able to help Americans leave in the event of a conflict
Blinken says that while State Dept has taken steps to shrink US diplomatic footprint in Ukraine, and has urged Americans to leave, embassy remains operational
"It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond. We're ready either way" - Secretary Blinken
Blinken says US response included proposals for joint US-Russian steps related to transparency on troops and exercises, and steps on missiles in Europe and a potential follow-on to New START
