US admits diplomacy not an option in Ukraine, prefers arms supplies

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Mar 2023 09:09

Despite rising calls for a diplomatic solution, US officials call for more weapons, adding fuel to the raging fire.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking at a press briefing in Washington (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken admitted, on Thursday, that the US government prefers sending more weapons over reconciliation-themed diplomatic contacts with Russia, TASS reported, which is needed to end the war -- thus adding more fuel to the fire.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, Blinken claimed that there has to be a "just and durable peace" in Ukraine; "just in the sense that it reflects the principles of the United Nations Charter. If it's a peace that allows Russia to keep all the territory seized by force, that's not justice."

"With those principles in mind, every day we are looking for ways to see if we can bring the war to an end. I see no evidence that right now Russia is interested in a diplomatic resolution and negotiation that would end this war," Blinken told journalists during his visit to Niger’s capital Niamey.

"And so the quickest way to end it is to continue to support Ukraine so that it is strong on the battlefield <…> so that hopefully, at some point, Mr. Putin recognizes the reality that this has to stop, that he's not going to succeed. And he's prepared for diplomacy and for negotiation. When that day comes we'll be the first to engage to try to end things. But as I said, at this moment, at least, I don't see any evidence of that," he said.

This comes shortly after the National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Thursday that the US does not support an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine under a China-proposed peace strategy.

On February 24, China issued a 12-point position paper on Ukraine that highlighted all the steps required to reach a "political settlement".

These include respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and POWs, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and promoting post-conflict reconstruction.

Because the plan did not specify that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine, the West accused China of an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty for the sake of Russia's.

Beijing has already dismissed these claims as false, with top diplomat Wang Yi saying China will continue to stand firmly on the side of dialogue and peace, and will not seek to fuel escalations nor remain a bystander.

"Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis," the document reads, adding that China will play a "constructive role" without offering details.