Russia invasion of Ukraine ‘strategic failure’: US

ATHENS: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday referred to as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “strategic failure” as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to “systematically” proceed the offensive that started nearly a yr in the past.

“One yr after President Putin attacked Ukraine. It’s clear that his conflict has been a strategic failure in each method,” Blinken stated in Athens on the shut of a five-day journey to the area.

“Nobody needed this conflict. Nobody likes this conflict. Everybody needs it to finish as shortly as potential,” Blinken stated.

“If we enable this to go ahead with impunity, then we’ll open a Pandora’s field around the globe the place may makes proper,” he stated.

Putin set for main Ukraine conflict speech after Biden walks streets of Kyiv

Blinken’s feedback got here as Putin delivered a state of the nation tackle in Moscow, blaming the West for the escalation of the Ukraine battle and vowing to press on.

“Step-by-step, we’ll fastidiously and systematically resolve the goals that face us,” Putin stated forward of the primary anniversary of the invasion.

Blinken on Friday attended the Munich Safety Convention earlier than flying to quake-stricken Turkey, the place he introduced $100 million in humanitarian assist.