US warns severe consequences for supporting Russia
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warns by saying that any person or entity supporting the integration of eastern Ukrainian republics into Russia will face “serious” consequences.
US Adviser Sullivan made the threat after meeting Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, in Istanbul on Sunday, according to a White House statement.
“Mr. Sullivan underscored the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the United States and its allies and partners are not deterred by the gross violations of the law international law by Russia, including the Charter of the United Nations and the high costs, will be imposed on any person, entity or country that supports the alleged annexation of Russia,” the statement said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a decree on the formal membership of the four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia to the Russian Federation. Putin on Friday presided over a signing ceremony with the heads of the four Russian-appointed regions in the Kremlin, announcing that residents of those regions are now considered Russian citizens, having made their choice in referendums.
The Russian leader stressed that Ukraine must respect the will of the people and promised to defend Russian land by any means necessary.
Putin cited the “will of millions” shown by the referendums as the key factor behind the decision to join the territories as part of Russia. The development came after residents of the four regions voted overwhelmingly in referendums to join the Russian Federation.
The White House statement said Sullivan and Yermak also discussed the current situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is under the control of Russian forces, and UN-brokered efforts to export food. from Ukrainian ports. “Mr. Sullivan stressed the US commitment to support the Ukrainian people in defending their sovereignty and democracy, including through the $ 12 billion in additional aid that President Biden recently converted into law,” the statement said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last week that his country will submit an accelerated application to join NATO. “We are de facto allies. This has already been achieved. In fact, we have already completed our path to NATO, “Zelensky said in his statement. “We trust each other, we help each other and we protect each other. This is what the Alliance is in fact.”
US warns severe consequences for supporting Russia
However, on Sunday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg refused to commit to accepting Ukraine’s application to join the US-led military alliance, saying its offer of membership “must be met by consensus”.
Sullivan said on Friday that now is the wrong time to consider Kiev joining NATO. “Right now, our view is that the best way to support Ukraine is through practical support on the ground in Ukraine and that the process in Brussels should be resumed at a different time,” Sullivan told The Asian Mirror (TAM).
