Meanwhile, top official of the EU asks China to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
At a Ukrainian town on the Polish border, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met on Saturday. Ukrainian officials requested new anti-aircraft defenses to counter Russian airstrikes, amid a rising civilian death toll. The UN human rights office has reported more than 1,000 civilian casualties have occurred since the Russian invasion began its attempt to overthrow the Ukrainian government.
“The pressure on Russia, not only is it unprecedented, not only is it producing very, very concrete results in Russia, but that pressure too will not only continue — it will grow until this war, this war of choice, is brought to an end,” Secretary Blinken said. “The courage that they are showing every day, the leadership that they are showing to the world, it’s inspiring. And the world is here; the world is with you.”
European Union High Representative Joseph Borrell of Spain, who leads the EU’s diplomatic corps, said China “must” intervene to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, given the inability of the United States and European allies to stop the fighting.
Such a proposal would entail an unprecedented display of Chinese influence in Europe, where the United States has played the traditional role of security guarantor, at a time when U.S. and Chinese relations are characterized by intense geopolitical competition. The outcome could depend in no small part on European policy choices.
Secretary of State Blinken’s team called for China “to use its influence with Moscow to urge diplomacy.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the secretary of state as he meets with international heads of state and foreign ministers.
- For President Biden and Secretary Blinken to seek God’s wisdom as they address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- For U.S. officials and allies to be discerning in their approach to mediation.
Sources: Washington Examiner, VOA, Politico
