Sanctions For The Memories: Blinken Condemns Russian Incursion Into Ukraine; Cancels Meet With Russian Counterpart

(Washington, DC) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is strongly condemning Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and is canceling Thursday’s planned meeting with his Russian counterpart. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine and labeled them “peacekeepers.” During a State Department briefing, Blinken said the meeting with Moscow’s top diplomat no longer makes sense after Russia’s invasion. Blinken noted that the U.S. and allies are implementing a “strong and unified response” in the form of economic sanctions. He said Putin aims to invade a sovereign nation and destroy Ukraine’s democracy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined Blinken and said the world will not recognize “this absurdity.” He called Russia’s invasion a great breach of international law and a violation of territorial integrity.