US tells embassies to 'keep mum' on Russia, vows no involvement: WSJ
The State Department instructs the embassies not to engage with host countries about the situation, restricting any answer to the US is "watching closely as the situation unfolds."
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The State Department in Washington, DC, on December 14, 2014 (AP)
US embassies all over the world have received instructions from the State Department to not say a word about the ongoing situation in Russia, adding that the US government shows no intention of getting involved, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
In a message, the State Department told the embassies not to engage with host countries about the situation and if hosts do contact them, the embassies should only say that the US is "watching closely as the situation unfolds," and that "the United States has no intention of involving itself in this matter."
"Regarding host governments, chief of missions and embassy staff should not pro-actively engage host government officials without prior authorization from Washington," the message read, stressing that "missions should not respond directly to any press inquiries."
'Support for Ukraine won't change'
This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call on Saturday with G7 foreign ministers alongside EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to not only discuss the current developments in Russia but to reiterate US support for Ukraine.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout, "Secretary Blinken spoke today with Foreign Ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to discuss the ongoing situation in Russia."
"Secretary Blinken reiterated that support by the United States for Ukraine will not change. The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues to develop," he continued.
