Blinken: US does not seek conflict with Russia, but is ready for it

• 

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NATO will defend all its allies and territories from any Russian "attack".

During a meeting of the alliance's foreign ministers in Brussels, Blinken condemned what he called "Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine," and added that "ours is a defensive alliance. We seek no conflict. But if conflict comes to us we are ready for it and we will defend every inch of NATO territory."

Blinken added that the US followed up on reports of the attack on the nuclear power plant that occured yesterday.

"This just demonstrates the recklessness of this war and the importance of ending it. And the importance of Russia withdrawing all its troops and engaging in good faith in diplomatic efforts."

Russia: Ukrainian nationalists behind nuclear plant fire

Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov pointed out Friday that Kiev wanted to accuse Russia of creating a radiation focus at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP).

On Thursday, the Russian National Guard thwarted a terrorist act by Ukrainian extremists at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, Konashenkov announced, noting that the national guard took control of the NPP to avoid a recurrence of extremist attacks on it.

The Ministry accused Ukraine of attempting to implement a monstrous provocation on the territory adjacent to the NPP.

In particular, while patrolling the protected area adjacent to the station, a mobile patrol of the Russian National Guard was attacked by a group of Ukrainian nationalists.

Yesterday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia has tried to prevent the current developments around Ukraine, but the West preferred not to notice this and now has forgotten its responsibility. 

Zakharova called the Russian operation a "forced move", especially after several negotiation efforts, compromises, clarifications, and explanations failed. 

"We tried to prevent this result for many years, not weeks, not months, using all the possibilities and all the tactics. But can they really sink to such a level that they do not take responsibility for their own complicity in the collapse of Ukraine," Zakharova said on the Soloviev Live YouTube show.